07102016 Filling Shoes
Memorial Day 2016
I’ve been trying to write the perfect thing for days now. I started with the meaning of Memorial Day – to mourn and celebrate those who died in heroic battle to keep us free – and then I wrote about my recent view of the horizon – how my days – our days – are all numbered and how truly quick this life goes. I wrote about marriages and births and sickness and the strong love that binds us all together. I wrote a bunch of quotes from Patton and Mother Teresa and JFK. But none of that seems important enough. It just doesn’t sound good enough to me. I want to tell you something meaningful and encouraging. I want to give you something to take home and ruminate on. Something sage to help you start from today and change the world, with passion and determination. Oh, how I wish I could! My words lack wings, so I’ll just share this quote from Jennifer M. Graham, “Ceremonies are important. But our gratitude has to be more than visits to the troops and once a year Memorial Day ceremonies. We honor the dead best by living well.”
These lyrics by Lori McKenna – words we all relate to because we are all like this. I could totally hear one of my grandparents saying this to me. Maybe I’m romanticizing it. Maybe they wouldn’t, but either way – it’s great advice, and it’s how I see the way they – and the elders – live. It’s the way I want to teach my kids to live. Because I believe we can change the world by caring for anyone who comes in our path.
“You know there’s a light that glows by the front door. Don’t forget the key’s under the mat. Childhood stars shine; always stay humble and kind. Go to church cause your momma says to. Visit grandpa every chance that you can. It won’t be wasted time; always stay humble and kind. Hold the door, say please, say thank you. Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie. I know you’ve got mountains to climb but always stay humble and kind. When the dreams you’re dreaming come to you, when the work you put in is realized; let yourself feel the pride, but always stay humble and kind.
Don’t expect a free ride from no one, don’t hold a grudge or a chip and here’s why: Bitterness keeps you from flyin’; always stay humble and kind. Know the difference between sleeping with someone and sleeping with someone you love. I love you ain’t no pickup line; so always stay humble and kind. When it’s hot, eat a root beer popsicle. Shut off the ac and roll the windows down. Let that summer sun shine, always stay humble and kind.
Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you. When you get where you’re goin’, don’t forget to turn back around and help the next one in line; always stay humble and kind. Hold the door, say please, say thank you. Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie. I know you’ve got mountains to climb but always stay humble and kind. When the dreams you’re dreaming come to you, when the work you put in is realized; let yourself feel the pride But always stay humble and kind. ”
I wrote this speech while on the way from one Memorial Day service in Cottonwood, to another one in Ainsworth. I had worked over the long weekend, writing many speeches, trying desperately to produce something that would come close to all the things Auntie N has always imparted when we gather at our family circle after the Memorial Day services at the cemetery. I wasn’t trying to be her; I was trying to honor her. I’m still not comfortable with it, which is why I’m posting it in July instead of the day after Memorial Day; however, I wanted to preserve it somewhere besides the notebook paper on which it was scrawled in the car, on the way. If nothing else, I hope my family felt a familiar love of family, the confidence to be gained from the advice of the wise, and a sense of peace that kindness brings. We are a humble and kind bunch.
Momma Rich's 