Today we celebrate Memorial Day in our various ways. We did nothing special though my veteran husband certainly deserves special recognition. He doesn't feel he does though, claiming he did nothing special; but the fact that he went and returned and served for twenty years in the service means a lot to me. I admire him and honor him for his service and his bold humility.
But, I also think of Memorial in a theological way. It is tied intimately to the way we celebrate "communion" or the "Lord's Supper." We are linked in a transcendent way with those who have gone before us, the communion of saints and just plain old common folk. I've always appreciated this aspect of theology in that it keeps theology from getting too "pie in the sky" with its lofty observations. Life is gritty and we must remember this in our celebration and mourning in memorial.
Of course, I find the concept of memorial hitting home especially now. As my belly fills with the feeling of life, those precious, mysterious flutters, I can't help but remember my children gone before me: Sarah, Rachel and Noah. As I experience the occasional flutters and kicks, I am reminded of that time that I had with them, a most lively and hopeful time. We read to them, celebrated their intra-uterine movements, and came to know them in a special way. It was gone all to quickly and my anxiety grows as I near that same marker of time.
Yet, in theology, we are reminded that memorial is not all about the past. If it is true memorial, it is a celebration of the past, present, and future. I feel that anticipatory hope within and pray that my anxiety does not quell its fertive existence. I pray to draw close to this baby, to come to know his or her own uniqueness.
Memorial day: a special time to creatively recall that which we hold dear and true--life, liberty, and the pursuit of family and happiness...
2 comments:
Joy, what a poignant post ~ and thought-provoking as well. I feel truly you will get to know the uniqueness of this baby. And, please let your husband know that my family and I thank him from the bottom of our hearts. We too admire and honor his service!
Thanks for stopping by Day! I will pass this on to my husband as well. Meanwhile, we're cheering you, Sal, and Simon on to the victorious finish line!
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