So it is really a poem, that was then set to a drinking song and would eventually became our national anthem. As I sit here and listen to another person perform it at a national event, I become nostalgic for that old drinking song. You see, the one thing about a drinking song is that you never sing it alone.
Today the national anthem is predominantly sung as a solo. At sporting events, graduations or public celebrations, we look to see who has the coveted role of national anthem singer. Many times it becomes more of a performance for the singer, than a moment. What kind of moment you may ask? Well that is for each person to decide.
For me, when I hear the "Star Spangled Banner" I think of what our flag stands for at it's most pure representation, freedom and equality. So when the anthem is played, I put my hand over my heart and sing along. The only problem is that I am one of the few that do. Now, I can carry a tune, but I cannot sing the national anthem like a pro, or even a semi-pro for that matter. That is not what is important though. What I do think is important is the unity that the song and the flag represent. The seperate stars, stripes, states and people coming together to agree on the ideals that our country was founded upon. Ideals that have been missed many times, but must be strived for regardless.
It was a song that was not meant to be sung alone. It is our flag and our anthem. So when you hear the music begin, don't be shy. On this Memorial Day, I would encourage you to lift your voice with those around you to give due to our flag, and those who gave all for it.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Thinking of Wes
I was thinking of my son yesterday at lunch time and the sadness that I know was a small part of his day. I was at lunch and like I do many days I stop to check FaceBook to see what is happening while I have been working.
My son had posted a message that morning regarding a young man that had committed suidice recently. He made a simple statement that spoke volumes. "Thinking about Wes." That was all it said. He also posted a video to a song by one of his favorite bands, Hawk Nelson. I tried to watch the video, but it did not play on my phone. So being the fantastically cool mom I am, I checked my ipod and saw that the song was there, so I stopped to listen. Did I mention I was fantastically cool?
As I listened, I was again struck by the sadness of this boys death and the pain that is left in it's wake. The song at one point explodes with rage and sadness as the singer vents his frustrations by yelling his questions of why. It is heart wrenchingly honest. It was also a reminder to me that I had neglected to write. And so that is what I am doing.
The funeral is long past, and it was well attended. Recently though I was went to the school to witness a dedication of a bench in memory of Wes. It was done by a some students and a teacher who had taught him during his time in high school. As I stood there I was encouraged by the words this man spoke. He told us of how he was approached by students wanting to do something, who needed to do something. So together they built the bench. The symbolism they built into the bench was not accidental. From the knots in the wood to the color of the pine, each detail had a message to impart to everyone who would see the bench.
While the bench itself was encouraging, the dedication was somewhat sad. Only a handful of people showed up to see the bench and to hear the words of his teacher, his youth pastor and his mother. Only a few of us heard of the symbolism of the bench that was only made to hold two people. Just enough room for two people to share the the frustrations, fears, and burdens of life. A place where you would not be judged for the words you say, but supported and cared for even if you were not totally understood. That is what the bench is for, a place to be heard and not judged, a place of grace.
I prayed for that bench, not the bench itself, but for the message it contained. You see, I really did not know Wes personally, but he could have been my son. He could have been any of ours. I hope that when my own children come to a time when they need to talk, that there is someone to whom they feel they can talk to. I hope it would be me, but I am too realistic for that. So the message of that bench is important to me. Important as a woman who hopes for the best for the youth in our community, but even more so as a mother who hopes for the best for her sons.
My son had posted a message that morning regarding a young man that had committed suidice recently. He made a simple statement that spoke volumes. "Thinking about Wes." That was all it said. He also posted a video to a song by one of his favorite bands, Hawk Nelson. I tried to watch the video, but it did not play on my phone. So being the fantastically cool mom I am, I checked my ipod and saw that the song was there, so I stopped to listen. Did I mention I was fantastically cool?
As I listened, I was again struck by the sadness of this boys death and the pain that is left in it's wake. The song at one point explodes with rage and sadness as the singer vents his frustrations by yelling his questions of why. It is heart wrenchingly honest. It was also a reminder to me that I had neglected to write. And so that is what I am doing.
The funeral is long past, and it was well attended. Recently though I was went to the school to witness a dedication of a bench in memory of Wes. It was done by a some students and a teacher who had taught him during his time in high school. As I stood there I was encouraged by the words this man spoke. He told us of how he was approached by students wanting to do something, who needed to do something. So together they built the bench. The symbolism they built into the bench was not accidental. From the knots in the wood to the color of the pine, each detail had a message to impart to everyone who would see the bench.
While the bench itself was encouraging, the dedication was somewhat sad. Only a handful of people showed up to see the bench and to hear the words of his teacher, his youth pastor and his mother. Only a few of us heard of the symbolism of the bench that was only made to hold two people. Just enough room for two people to share the the frustrations, fears, and burdens of life. A place where you would not be judged for the words you say, but supported and cared for even if you were not totally understood. That is what the bench is for, a place to be heard and not judged, a place of grace.
I prayed for that bench, not the bench itself, but for the message it contained. You see, I really did not know Wes personally, but he could have been my son. He could have been any of ours. I hope that when my own children come to a time when they need to talk, that there is someone to whom they feel they can talk to. I hope it would be me, but I am too realistic for that. So the message of that bench is important to me. Important as a woman who hopes for the best for the youth in our community, but even more so as a mother who hopes for the best for her sons.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Wake up ......
So someone asked me earlier this month if I was joking after I had posted a comment to fb. So after going through my blog and seeing that this subject had yet to be written about, I decided to finally put words to paper.
You see, May is Zombie Appreciation Month. So I posted my favorite zombie verse, Ephesians 5:14, and reminded people of the unique remembrance of the month. Her response of "you have to be joking" was quite appropriate except that for me zombies are creatures of utmost interest.
You see when I was very young, I made the mistake of watching "Night of the Living Dead". Even worse was the fact that my Aunt, who we used to visit a lot, lived right around the corner from the cemetery. For years after I was never fully comfortable at her house after dark. Also, as a teenager in the 80's a few new zombie movies were released, and I again was reminded to lock the doors at night.
So how has my appreciation for zombies made such a dramatic turn? Well it all happened with a little movie named "Shaun of the Dead". I was alone one day, and while flipping through the channels I caught the end of this movie. It was silly and inappropriate, but I sat and watched the young man "Shaun" go from a slacker to a hero. All while fighting zombies trying to rescue family and friends. A zombie movie with a message, or something like that. Well, I enjoyed it enough that when it was on again I sat down to watch from the beginning. It was then that I saw the scene that made me love this movie. There are actually two scenes and they are both nearly identical except for one detail, and that is zombies.
In the first instance we see Shaun walking his route to the store passing people as they each go about their daily business. He barely notices them, let alone having any meaningful interaction with them. It is not so obvious the first time you see it, but the next day when he goes to the store again it becomes painfully clear. We see a man who is so wrapped up in his little world that he does not even see the chaos around him.
It struck me as comical that our hero was living the life of a zombie, except for the eating of flesh part. He did the same things every day, worked the same job, went to the same pub, kept the same lazy friend and expected his girlfriend and family to accept his careless attitude. Our hero knew that he needed to make some changes, but he did not have the courage to do them. That is until the zombies struck and he had to be courageous to save family, friends and himself.
That is why I like zombies now. They remind me that if I am not careful, I can live just as dead of a life as a zombie. Walking through my days accepting shallow relationships, giving as little of myself as possible and hiding from the challenges God has for me. All of these things that make me a part of society and hopefully a light in this world. So as the month of May comes to a close I would again ask you to remember Ephesians 5:14....."Awake sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you".
You see, May is Zombie Appreciation Month. So I posted my favorite zombie verse, Ephesians 5:14, and reminded people of the unique remembrance of the month. Her response of "you have to be joking" was quite appropriate except that for me zombies are creatures of utmost interest.
You see when I was very young, I made the mistake of watching "Night of the Living Dead". Even worse was the fact that my Aunt, who we used to visit a lot, lived right around the corner from the cemetery. For years after I was never fully comfortable at her house after dark. Also, as a teenager in the 80's a few new zombie movies were released, and I again was reminded to lock the doors at night.
So how has my appreciation for zombies made such a dramatic turn? Well it all happened with a little movie named "Shaun of the Dead". I was alone one day, and while flipping through the channels I caught the end of this movie. It was silly and inappropriate, but I sat and watched the young man "Shaun" go from a slacker to a hero. All while fighting zombies trying to rescue family and friends. A zombie movie with a message, or something like that. Well, I enjoyed it enough that when it was on again I sat down to watch from the beginning. It was then that I saw the scene that made me love this movie. There are actually two scenes and they are both nearly identical except for one detail, and that is zombies.
In the first instance we see Shaun walking his route to the store passing people as they each go about their daily business. He barely notices them, let alone having any meaningful interaction with them. It is not so obvious the first time you see it, but the next day when he goes to the store again it becomes painfully clear. We see a man who is so wrapped up in his little world that he does not even see the chaos around him.
It struck me as comical that our hero was living the life of a zombie, except for the eating of flesh part. He did the same things every day, worked the same job, went to the same pub, kept the same lazy friend and expected his girlfriend and family to accept his careless attitude. Our hero knew that he needed to make some changes, but he did not have the courage to do them. That is until the zombies struck and he had to be courageous to save family, friends and himself.
That is why I like zombies now. They remind me that if I am not careful, I can live just as dead of a life as a zombie. Walking through my days accepting shallow relationships, giving as little of myself as possible and hiding from the challenges God has for me. All of these things that make me a part of society and hopefully a light in this world. So as the month of May comes to a close I would again ask you to remember Ephesians 5:14....."Awake sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you".
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