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So how many people partied this weekend for the Big Memorial Day Event? How many people actually remembered what the day was supposed to be for? What is Memorial Day for?

I was just sitting here this morning wondering how many people went out and celebrated a Holiday not knowing entirely what it was for? So often we see people getting drunk and playing sports and just having a good old time on this day. What is Memorial Day supposed to be for? Why DO we celebrate this occasion and why are people always having such a fun time on this day?

We do not teach our children that Memorial Day is a day to remember all of the soldiers who lost their lives defending our country and freedom. We do not teach them that this is the one day where, it isn’t only the parent of the soldiers that will often have a sad day, but friends and family of the loved and lost ones will as well.

We do not teach our children that the families of these lost soldiers are not only grieving on the day of the loss, but they grieve for the loss on many occasions Memorial Day being Nationwide.

Have you ever taken your child down to a cemetary and explained what the decorations are for on this sad occasion? I did. I took my son one year and the questions he asked were just overwhelming. He wanted to know why so many people were there and why so many of the “tombs” as he called them were decorated, when normally they weren’t as many “flowers and stuff” there. As we walked through the cemetary and I explained to him that they were there because this was the day that we Honored the soldiers that “died” in our wars, he suddenly became very interested! He wanted to know why we weren’t decorating anything. This was the first time I had ever just gone and done something crazy. We went to the store and we bought a flower for every lost Veteran there. We then placed the flowers on the gravesight(s) and left. By the time we were through with this, he was sure that we had done the right thing. Now each year my son likes to decorate and remember what the sad story and the “HERO’s” have done for us.

Looking back into my own childhood I can’t recall what we did on this day. I hadn’t gotten any kind of true understanding of the Holiday until I actually sat down with my own son and explained the reason for Memorial Day.  You often hear of people getting drunk and celebrating some party when, in reality, it shouldn’t be the party they are celebrating, it should be the freedom and the independance that we have that we are celebrating. It should be remembrance of the soldiers who gave their lives (willingly) for us to be here and have all of this.

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Now the other issue that we all too commonly see is drinking while we are celebrating. How many people actually go out and drink and party on this such sad occasion and drive? How many people do we often hear about where there are so many accidents and some involve children? I keep my kids off the streets as much as possible on these occasions.

I understand that it is all in good fun but, statistically it is tragic when you hear of a family that is driving home and the innocent are killed by drunk driving.

Did you know that Between the months of Memorial Day and Labor Day with the Fourth of July being a big one too, the period of time is often called the “100 deadly days of summer”? Does this tell us anything?  The next time you think of Drinking on these occasions why don’t you also plan to have a driver with you, or better yet, stay where you party. This could possibly save many lives including your own, and the most important, the children.

On average 45 people die a day and multiply that by 10 to get the number for holidays and special occasions. Especially on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The estimated reading for these accidents is the problem. The people aren’t even totally drunk. The BAC is often between .01 and .09. The problem here is that you don’t realize that even when you are slightly intoxicated you don’t realize the effect until it is too late. That just gives us something to think about. Like I said what does it really hurt if you have a DD or just stay with the party and pass out there. Especially if you could be saving a life. The next time you drink and drive, maybe just maybe you should ask yourself, Who will I be killing tonight? What kid is not going to have a parent tomorrow? What child is not going to have a sibling tomorrow? What child won’t be here to live out their life after tonight? Who am I going to take a life from tonight? It can happen. Unfortunately more so on Holidays than any other occasion, but remember, it CAN and More often than it needs to, it does!

Find peace within.

The word peace is brandied about at Christmas time but it is a gift Christ gives all year through. The following chorus is based on the Bible verse John 14:27.

My peace I give unto you;
It’s a peace that the world cannot give.
It’s a peace that the world cannot understand;
Peace to know, peace to live,
My peace I give unto you.

Inner peace is at the heart of stability, acceptance, comfort, and forgiveness to name a few. Whatever the issue, the problem, the situation seek the peace of Christ and allow it to wash over your soul. With each new day you will emerge with a brighter and more hopeful outlook. Plus you will be able to enjoy all that is good about the holidays.

Create a comforting environment.

Can’t celebrate Christmas as you did in the past? Don’t have the energy, the finances, the will or the interest? You can still generate the same special feelings associated with the holidays by creating a comforting and happy atmosphere in your home. It will help to ease your despair, calm your anxieties and soothe your soul.

Don’t feel you have to stretch yourself too far. Instead, keep chores to a minimum but take time to prepare and enjoy some of the special holiday meals. You may feel as if the world is sitting on your shoulders but if you adopt the “less is more” philosophy, you could still savour the true spirit of the holidays.

Give yourself the gift of gratitude

Usually when we talk or read about gratitude the idea is one of counting our blessings and giving thanks to God. But gratitude can also be a gift we give ourselves. Think about it this way.

With each thing and person you are grateful for, with each blessing you innumerate, you remember and appreciate the gift of the blessing the thing or person brought to your life in the past and the joy or comfort they continue to give.

Share from your need

Your budget may be small. Your decorations may be minimal. Your cupboard may be bare. Your enthusiasm may be low. Still you can reach out to someone who is walking in shoes similar to yours or someone who has no shoes.

Just think that for each person who died this year, there are numerous family members and friends for whom Christmas has no meaning and brings no joy. Instead it is simply ongoing pain, fear, uncertainty and maybe even unanswered questions. The story behind each death may be different but it doesn’t matter when the loved ones left behind are hurting.

You pain may be just as deep, your fears just as real and your burden just as heavy. Nevertheless, making the effort to alleviate someone else’s burden makes your easier to bear. Step just beyond your own problems, your own loneliness and reach out to someone who is trying to move on after the loss of a loved one or rebuild his or her life after a divorce, a fire or some other tragedy.

Compassion has been proven to not only lift the spirits of the receiver but to miraculously bless the heart of the giver. So whether it is a phone call, a visit, a listening ear, a supportive shoulder, an encouraging word, a gentle touch, provision of some much-needed items or help with a chore, share from the essence of your own need. Share from the low supply in your emotional, physical and material storehouse. Give from your bare essentials, even if it means scraping the bottom of your barrel and you will experience the satisfaction of giving, even when your own heart is longing for compassion.

Would you try these four suggestions today? Afterwards, their basic premise of peace within, a comforting environment, gratitude and reaching out despite your own suffering can help you cope with and rise above any distressing circumstance that will come in the New Year.

Additional note: Maybe you are not subject to the loneliness and depression that might be plaguing so many. Maybe you’ve been spared the kind of experiences that make this time of peace, joy, gaiety and family togetherness, a time of heartache. If this is your happy reality, you can be the agent of peace, comfort, gratitude and compassion for someone whose story is different. Remember and reach out to them this Christmas and in the New Year.