This is the first year where I’ve actually gone out and visited a cemetery for Memorial Day. At least, the first year I can remember. But I thought it was important to pay our respects and give Jas a chance to understand how the choices we make in life have very important consequences.

Most of hers involve which pair of shoes she wants to wear today or what kind of juice she’d like for lunch. But as you get older, your decisions have more of an impact.

It felt very odd taking pictures in the cemetery. A good part of it was that I was juggling Cody and my Nikon, which with a manual focus is always interesting to do one handed. Being a certified genius, I’d left my sleepywrap at home. Urgh.

But for another part, there was a presence, a feeling I can’t really put words to. You felt something in that air. Kind of like how you know when someone is watching you. Different and in a less hostile way. But you can tell that this is a place with a lot going on (I was going to say under the surface but that does NOT seem right!)(cue the zombies).

I’m not sure if it was all the emotion being poured out in a place like this. Anger, sadness, frustration. From those of us on earth to those who have moved on. Or perhaps even the other way. But it was there and it was real. A huge collection of energy. And it really impacted the whole rest of our day.

To those families who have loved ones in the service, the debt you bear for our country is amazing. Thank you. It is a huge sacrifice, one that is taken for granted by a majority of civilians.

To me, this is one day that always symbolizes why we need to bring peace globally. The thing bringing about the destruction of families be they Afghan, Iraqii, Palestinian, American, or any of the other countries involved in struggles today is rooted in politics. As a global community, we need to make it known that this must stop and look towards peaceful alternatives.

It is NOT for the cause of God, whether you call him Allah, Jehovah, or Christ. The God for ALL the monotheistic religions advocates peace and love to thy neighbor. We need to stop this senseless killing.