Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

Memorial Day is a day of baseball games, hot dogs on the grill, family picnics – all good things. However, we must not forget it’s a time to remember all those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have.

Given my service experience, I’m mindful of the Vietnam Wall that Betty and I visited many years ago. The politics of that war can be honestly debated, but the men and women who fulfilled their duty and gave up their lives in the service of that duty should always be honored for their sacrifice.

The Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC, was completed in 1982. However, many people don’t know the first Vietnam Memorial was completed in 1971 in Angel Fire, New Mexico.

Following the death of their son, U.S. Marine Corps First Lieutenant Victor David Westphall III, Jeanne and Dr. Victor Westphall began construction of the Vietnam Veterans Peace and Brotherhood Chapel to honor the memory of their son and the sixteen men that died with him near Con Thien, South Vietnam on May 22, 1968. The chapel was dedicated on May 22, 1971.

Betty and I visited this chapel in 2004 and it’s still a beautiful, peaceful place. Besides their son and his fallen comrades, they collected pictures and biographies of everyone who died in Vietnam, and they are available to view in many notebooks in the visitor center. The Westphalls have both died and the state has taken it over as a state memorial.

In honor of Memorial Day, I’m slipping Monday Humor to Tuesday.

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Luke 18:15-17

Barbara Karnes, a hospice nurse, has written a lot about caring for the dying. In this quote, she shares what is important when words become meaningless.

“I shake hands with the idea that bonding begins when I walk in the door. I sit close to people, not across from them, at a table or even across the room. I often ask people if I can give them a hug. Not invading their space unwelcome. Sometimes while sitting close, I reach out and touch a hand, arm, a shoulder. The touch saying someone is here. You are not alone.

I think we healthcare workers rely on our words as our offering. Explanations, suggestions, instructions, even using words to offer condolences and trying to comfort. And yes, words are a big part of our job, but we also need to recognize that just being there, time spent, is a comfort and belongs in our tool kit, too. “I’ll sit with you for a while. We don’t have to talk” can offer more comfort and healing than all the words we say.

Comfortable presence is what I am going to call what I’m suggesting we give when words no longer matter. When words serve no purpose.”

It’s a hard lesson to learn as we often want to ‘fix’ things with our words. “If I can just say something more, perhaps in different words, it will help.”

That’s often not true, but we’ve learned that our presence is one of the most powerful and healing things we can do.

Every dog believes they have the courage of their wolf ancestors, and can take on any adversary. Well, not always …

Our Prickly Pear Cactus is the second of our cactus to bloom with beautiful yellow blossoms.

I was able to catch a Bumblebee hard at work collecting pollen.

It’s interesting to see all the pollen that is scattered on the bloom and on the bee.

“Commander Data’s shuttle has landed on the Enterprise.” I spent three days on the Big E when she was operating off Vietnam. Navy carrier pilots are the best and craziest pilots in the world.

If you believe people think you’re a nut, perhaps this is the proof you need …

Me as a kid and our two sons when they were little. And so true …

Maybe spilt milk is nothing to cry over …

Didn’t work with the moon landing …

True of dogs as well …

Seems a great way to get a rash …

I knew I liked Baby Yoda …

Makes sense to me …

I’ll vote for this as I love it on my spaghetti …

Finally, one to warm your heart …