We are free.
Free to speak… shout! and listen. We can choose to pray. The way we want. Or not at all. We can choose to defend our perspective. To disagree. To confess. To make a point. To write. To vote. To criticize. Publicize. To celebrate. To make laws. And change them. To dream. And achieve. To express ourselves creatively. We are free to make choices. To learn. To share. To leave. To return. To be open. Or closed. We can choose to move forward. To look back. To stand tall… or still.
We are free.
But this is a gift.
May we always remember.
* * *
Let us put politics aside and share your words and images of thanks for our American soldiers (past and present) and their families. Happy Memorial Day, Shutter Sisters.
I am very thankful for all those gifts and freedoms. I definitely am grateful to the men and women-which includes their families- who sacrifice so much to ensure that we continue to have such a gift. May they be blessed beyond measure.
Stephanie, what an absolutely perfect picture to pair up with your wonderful words of gratitude. Thank you! 🙂
wonderful. "to share. to leave. to return. to be open."
My grandpa passed away less than 2 weeks ago, and he had served in the Airforce for 25 years – and so I was delighted when my husband got these shots at the graveside. Very fitting for Memorial Day, I think.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thethiers/2523582790/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thethiers/2522762121/
Loved your post. I have been in such a pensive state wondering what to post on this holiday, almost giving up at staying in the ‘holiday spirit’. But I did come up with something memorable.
Great post.
We ARE free. Least we forget..may we always remember:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=350
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=399
Thank you for such a great post, Stephanie. I am thankfully to everyone who sacrifices their life for our freedom. I come from a family of military men, 2 grandfathers, uncle, father, step father and my brother. But we have been blessed because no one has died while serving.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24035778@N04/2368804306/
thank you our warrior brothers and sisters.
http://dandelionseedss.blogspot.com/2008/05/memorial.html
http://monkeymemories.blogspot.com/2008/05/happy-memorial-day.html
My husband became an American citizen this past Friday with 1100 other people representing 90 different countries. People jump through some pretty big hoops to become citizens because in spite of all her flaws, the US is the most perfectible, most free place on earth. Thanks, in large part, to the veterans and soldiers who have fought and died to keep us that way. Happy Memorial Day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katherinec/2516069379/
beautifully written post. Happy Mem Day!
http://happyinthehamptons.blogspot.com/2008/05/remember-to-smell-roses.html
Thank you, thank you for your lovely post. Happy Memorial Day indeed.
Beautiful post. And such a lovely face to go with it!
Sweet face. Real post. I’m late, but I did post on Memorial Day.
http://slurpinglife.typepad.com/slurping_life/2008/05/main-street-usa.html
Whenever I see footage of the monks in Burma protesting their lack of freedom and dying in the process, I remember all those who protect mine, not just the military and civil servants but the journalists, artists, bloggers, writers who dare to seek and tell the truth.