Monday, May 25th, 2026, is Memorial Day in America. It is the national holiday set aside to remember those we loved and lost, and to pay tribute to the veterans who have passed who bravely served our country. It is a solemn celebration, as most memorials are.

However, Americans also observe it in a festive way as the official beginning of the summer season, even though the calendar says it won’t be summer for another four weeks. We don’t care, we need our reasons to celebrate. As a country, I’d say we are pretty good at that. Then, just two weeks after the calendar says it’s summer, we will celebrate our country’s birthday on July 4th. This year is big; America is turning 250 years old. The “semiquincentennial,” as it is officially called. Being the word nerd I am, I am thrilled to learn this new word and I will use it frequently to add to the festive nature of this time of year. You’re welcome.

If, as we do for this holiday, we could find a way to create fun and joy when life brings us sadness, then I say that’s a good thing. Some occasions are purely joyous, like the two recent weekends we spent with Gail and her family in her small western Kansas town.

At the end of April, Suzanne and I headed west to celebrate with Gail and her daughter Lydia, who is getting married this fall. It was a splendid bridal shower for a beautiful young woman with a bright future ahead.

Last weekend, I soldiered west without Suzanne back to Gail’s house, she wasn’t able to join me for their small town’s annual “Rod Run,” a classic car show showcasing all models of vintage and unique vehicles. Gail kept me busy as a “Thirst Responder” on the patio of the bar/grill she manages, as she and other family and friends served up a delicious meal. I didn’t get any pictures of her in action, it seems she was running around in a blur all day so a picture was not possible. If you know Gail, you get it.

The car show is an annual hit, right down to the race late Saturday afternoon.

Remembering those we loved and lost is something most of us do nearly every day, not just on Memorial Day. Moving on after loss is not an easy task; grief is the price we pay for love. I don’t know anyone who has loved and lost who feels the grief is not worth the love, they wouldn’t have missed the gift of loving that person despite the grief.

I turned 60 last month. I would say 60 years old, but old is a state of mind. So is young. They are just words, words not nearly as impressive as “semiquincentennial.” The trick is to not think about the number and keep living life to its fullest.

“Always have something to look forward to.” That is a piece of advice from Mom that I keep in mind and try to follow. Next weekend I will travel to Kansas City to celebrate the 60th birthday of a friend since kindergarten. Gail, Suzanne and I are scheming another summer trip, not sure what yet, but it will be fun, no doubt. I am holding these future adventures close in mind to see me through any rough spots.

Memorial Day is a sacred day to honor the veterans we loved and lost. Even if we didn’t know them, they deserve our honor for serving our country. My father-in-law passed several years ago, and he was a Korean War Veteran.

Thank you for your service, Marvin.

My hope and prayer for each of you is that your loved ones are with you, either in person or in spirit, or both. If they have passed, remember the love. Pay the price of love with your grief. Honor them by living your life to the fullest. Remember all the joy they brought you and the world. Remember none of us get out of here alive, so live every moment. Reconnect with those you need to see again. Forgive. Laugh. Find some joy in each day. As Mom said, always have something to look forward to. Find even a bit of joy in sadness. Your legacy will one day live on in other’s memories and in stone, so make it a good one.

We celebrated our parents with a beer and a burger at our hometown’s annual festival. We try to find the joy in sadness, even though it’s not always easy. We even put the ‘fun’ in funeral. If anyone can do it, we can. And if you need to, we hope you can, too.