Freedom.

I love memorial day. It's the fabulous memorial day weekend that we use to kick off our summer with the first beach trip of the year. It's glorious. We look forward to it for weeks. Sun, naps, fresh seafood, sleeping late, boutique shopping, barefeet.......I love it.

Molly asked me the other day what the next holiday coming up would be. 'Memorial Day', I happily shouted!

"What are the colors of Memorial Day?", she asked.

"Well....red, white and blue, I guess.", says I. But when she asked, 'why?'.......I had to think.

"Because........well.......Memorial Day is the day we celebrate and remember the men and women who have died in battle to make sure we get to maintain our freedom. We honor them by setting a day apart to remember them. It's a big deal!"

Really? Then I silently wondered to myself......when is the last time I even thought about the men and women who sacrificed and died for me to be able to stick my feet in the sand and sleep late and bathe in the sun for a lovely 3 day weekend? I can tell you. Um....never.

How embarrassing.

I'm so glad Molly asked me that question. Because I want to remember why I'm free. I want to remember what thousands of men and women have given to ensure I am free. I want to support and honor and love them. Because freedom is precious. It's invaluable.

And Molly's question also gave me a chance to share with both my girls what it means to be free and how so many other countries cannot celebrate the kind of liberty we have. And how sad that is. And how we should never take it for granted.......the way I obviously have for years.

Thanks to sweet Molly for helping me to realize that.