“strangers are friends that we some day may meet”

via The Sterling Sunflower

Today was just an ordinary day. A visit to the chiropractor, a trip to the Hoover Library book sale, and a stop at the At Home store. But some days, even the most mundane tasks can be a blessing.

The chiro’s office was like a mini family reunion among people I didn’t know. There was pleasant conversation, ohhing-and-ahhing over the cutest little baby boy, and lots of laughter, with Dr. Drew being the loudest.

At the library I had an extended conversation with a young man that started over his compliment to my shirt. I was wearing my Atlanta Braves tee-shirt, and we were both happy after last night’s victory. I then had to compliment HIS shirt which said “Athens Georgia” on it with a picture of a red pickup toting a bulldog. (I googled and found a pic.)

We talked baseball, Braves, and SunTrust stadium. I found out his favorite spot to sit is near first base so he can see his favorite players, Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis. He mentioned bringing his woobie as rain protection and I knew what that was. He is in the army, so I told him about my son and we then went on to talk about Arlington Cemetery, Tomb Sentinels, and D.C.

Somehow the conversation moved to doing business in a small town. He shared a funny story of when he and his wife went to apply for passports and I shared our (me and hubby’s)  6-hour ordeal getting our licenses and car tags when we moved here in 2014.

I just love running into people and getting to know them. I’ll probably never see him again, but I’ll be looking for him if I get to another Braves game. Or at the next library sale. I think his name is Cervantes.

The following poem  by Edgar Albert Guest expresses so much better how I was feeling today.

Faith

I believe in the world and its bigness and splendor:
That most of the hearts beating round us are tender;
That days are but footsteps and years are but miles
That lead us to beauty and singing and smiles:
That roses that blossom and toilers that plod
Are filled with the glorious spirit of God.

I believe in the purpose of everything living:
That taking is but the forerunner of giving;
That strangers are friends that we some day may meet;
And not all the bitter can equal the sweet;
That creeds are but colors, and no man has said
That God loves the yellow rose more than the red.

I believe in the path that to-day I am treading,
That I shall come safe through the dangers I’m dreading;
That even the scoffer shall turn from his ways
And some day be won back to trust and to praise;
That the leaf on the tree and the thing we call Man
Are sharing alike in His infinite plan.

I believe that all things that are living and breathing
Some richness of beauty to earth are bequeathing;
That all that goes out of this world leaves behind
Some duty accomplished for mortals to find;
That the humblest of creatures our praise is deserving,
For it, with the wisest, the Master is serving.

Brief Thoughts on Memorial Day

Ben

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.

I have not personally known anyone who died while serving in the armed forces. I can remember being sad but not really understanding when my cousin Johnny went off to Vietnam. But, he made it through.

My son served in the Army for five years. I was apprehensive when he left for boot camp and I couldn’t talk to him for weeks. I was relieved when he was stationed at Arlington Cemetery in DC. Then, fear struck on 9/11 when the Pentagon was hit and we could not get in touch with him for hours. But, like my cousin Johnny, he made it through.

I respect those young people who join the service out of a real desire to serve and fight for freedom, But I find it very hard to respect what our military has become. I am by no means politically savvy and I am not a history scholar. I am ashamed at my lack of knowledge of my country’s past and also my lack of understanding of current world events.

Yet, on this Memorial Day I respect and honor those who have gone out in sincerity to serve our country. I pray for the families who have experienced the loss of a loved one – I pray that Memorial Day will be a time of comfort for them.