Remembering

Before we put the wash out on Monday's wash line---

A good friend of mine pointed out some possible 'false elements' in my analogy in my last blog in which I compared illegal immigrants to thieves who break into my home (which I extended to include my country).

First of all, I really appreciate her sharing the view from her window. In writing a blog I want to share my views but I would also like to have others share their views with me. When I hear what others have to say I gain new perspectives and I give further thought to my opinions and have a stronger desire to broaden my exploration of the topics I choose to write about.

Now back to my analogy...my friend pointed out that the United States has made the laws responsible for allowing the illegal immigrants to help themselves to free education, medical care, etc. In some respects our country does leave the door open with tempting good stuff left out on the counter within easy reach but then sporadically gets angry with intruders taking advantage of such an appealing opportunity. My friend mentioned how shameful it is that people are deported in the middle of the night and families are torn apart because suddenly the United States decides to tighten those laws that have been so loose. She also pointed out that the United States often makes it a ridiculously long and difficult process for people to obtain legal residence. All of these points are valid and well made. They are also well taken. The United States has been wishy washy at best and hypocritical at worst when it comes to matters of immigration. We would do well in this country to put our energies and passion into correcting or changing ineffectual laws and defending our constitution instead of into name calling, side-taking, and venomous attitudes toward other people.

If I leave my home unattended and the doors open then when someone comes onto my property and helps themselves to my possessions then yes, I need to be more responsible in properly safeguarding my home but the person is still trespassing and they are still guilty of a crime. People commit crimes for various reasons. Some people just want to take because they can or because they feel they have a right of some sort, others take because they feel they have no choice. I wonder what I would do if I felt like the only way to properly take care of my family and give them a future would be to flee my country? How would I feel about the tantalizing freedoms just across the border and what would I do to obtain them?

It is obviously necessary and wise to protect and defend our borders. Laws need to be clearly defined and consistently enforced. People from other countries should be welcome but should also be understanding of our cause for caution. People who want to really immigrate need to want to become Americans. This doesn't mean that they should be expected to give up all ties to their native country or turn their backs on their heritage. It would be un-American of us to expect that but welcoming positive cultural contributions is a very American thing to do. Notice I say positive contributions---not all cultural customs are good (Including some American cultural customs). Some should be left behind because they contributed to the reasons for wanting to leave the home country in the first place. I think sometimes we have become so engrossed with embracing diversity in our country that we end up giving a cold shoulder to unity. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said that diversity is a means to an end not an end---unity should be the end goal. I really like the Oxford Dictionary definition of unity from an artistic perspective: the state of forming a complete and pleasing whole. Each of us regardless of ethnic background should bring our best to forming a more perfect union---building a strong nation under God with liberty and justice for all. (Yes, here is where music by the Tabernacle Choir fades in...)
That's enough for now...

Today is Memorial Day---a day to pause and think about the fact that freedom has a cost. Our freedoms have been won and defended at the sacrifice of young promising lives. We enjoy the personal circumstances in which we live because of sacrifices of those who have gone before us in our families. Today is a day to remember and to be grateful.

When I was a kid Memorial Day was a day of visiting the cemetery and having a backyard barbeque. The day began with cutting bouquets of lilacs, irises, snowballs, and peonies and putting them in a bucket of water to take to the cemetery. It was my job to hold the bucket securely between my feet. We would stop and pick up my grandma on our way to Elysian Gardens in Salt Lake. That was the only cemetery we visited because my Dad's deceased family members were all buried in Texas. My sister spooked me by telling me that it was bad luck to step on grave stones. I used to worry about what would happen to me if I came close at all to the markers. I was fascinated by reading the markers and wondering about the lives of those who rested there. The cemetery was like one epic drama with a variety of characters and time periods and numerous story lines but only scattered details. There were elements of tragedy and true love, valor and mystery. To this day I thoroughly enjoy walking through cemetaries. For the most part they are peaceful and lend themselves to quiet contemplation. However, I don't think I would relish walking through one at night. Cemeteries are resting places but some people seem to rest more serenely than others...

It seems like older people are the main denizens of decorating cemeteries. They most likely have a greater conscious appreciation for the value of life and of remembering. They have grown closer to those whose graves they visit both in a physical sense and in a spiritual sense. My mother-in-law was just saying how hard it was for her now to go to the cemeteries and that it was our(my husband and I) turn to take up the tradition. I have never been very consistent about making the cemetery rounds on Memorial Day. I think I just might correct that. Cemeteries do more than honor the dead--- they celebrate life. Cemeteries decorated with flowers and balloons and pinwheels show that life continues. The sting of death was truly taken away through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Life and death co-exist in mortality. Death is not the end of living and the grave is not the final resting place but it does seem appropriate that our deceased physical bodies rest in the bosom of the earth until they are joined with our spirits in eternal life.
Memorial Day is the first entry in a parade of long summer days. It is a day of breaking out the barbeque grill and dusting off the outside furniture. When I was a kid it was one of the first days (after Field Day at school) that I was allowed to wear sun suits(remember those?) or shorts.
Snow shovels have been moved behind rakes in the shed. Christmas lights are gathering dust while wind chimes are washed and hung. Coats and sweaters have been pushed back into the dark recesses of closets. Sno Shacks have popped up as spots of color in asphalt gardens. Salads sound much better than soup and the thought of homemade icecream makes our mouths water. Summer is coming...Do you notice that our anticipation of a wonderful summer ahead is heightened by our memories of summers past?