Memorial Day 2013

We had an excellent Memorial Day today, which just so happened to fall on mine and Dustin's 7th wedding anniversary.  We spent the day with our families and friends and attended parades in both Wooster and Nashville.  Matthew was really interested in the parade this year (last year he was only 9 months old) and he waved and in his sweet, soft voice called "hi" to many of the folks in vehicles, members of the marching bands and especially to the horses.  Luke was too small to notice much of the parade and he was happy to be snuggled regardless of his surroundings.  It's hard to not get caught up in the patriotism of the day and I was brought to tears during the parade in Wooster when a man dressed in black (following a float with names of fallen soldiers posted to a simple board) read the names aloud from a book.  It's hard to imagine living in a country that didn't offer the rights, liberties and safety that we are afforded here in the United States.  I am so grateful to the men and women who have, are or will serve in the Armed Forces and especially to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom.