Our nation observes Memorial Day today, although traditionally it was observed on May 30 until 1971. Thankfully our family did not lose anybody to war, although my grandfathers and dad fought in World War I and II respectively. So in addition to remembering those brave men and women who fought and died to preserve our country’s freedom, I have made this weekend a time for both remembering those in my family who have died and honoring them.

Since they are no longer living, I have decided that on my watch their graves will be well kept and in good repair. So my wife and I go out and trim around the tombstones, rake the graves, clean them up, and put flowers on them for the summer. Doing so is a way for me to continue to honor them, both for being such a good family and for their service to our country.

It also reminds me of how fleeting and transient this mortal life is. When I was a kid, we’d spend Memorial Day at the lake at my grandparents Shaffer’s cottage with my extended family. It was a grand time and I have great memories of those halcyon days. Now I only have their graves to visit and I confess I liked it a whole lot better when I was able to be with them at the lake. In fact, for whatever reason I miss them more keenly this year than I ever have. It seems grief never takes a holiday.

So Memorial Day is a bittersweet time for me and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in feeling this way about it. Honestly, if I did not have the hope of God’s promised new creation with its promise of newly embodied life, the total restoration of God’s beautiful creation, and the abolition of evil and death, I don’t think I could visit the cemetery, let alone maintain my family’s graves, because it would just be too painful. But thankfully I do have the hope of new creation, and when it comes I won’t have to be separated from my parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles ever again. Who knows? There might even be a lake where we can gather to celebrate all that God has done for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus. I look forward to that day more than I can tell you. But in the meantime, as long as I am able, I will continue to honor my family, in part, by caring for their grave sites. It is the least I can do considering all they did and sacrificed for me.

May you too find ways to honor and love your loved ones, especially if you are blessed enough to have them still be living.