Getting back to normal, remembering....

Memorial Day isn't a celebration as much as it is a remembrance. Though after the depth's of despair surrounding the pandemic, the remembrances of those lost were also a thank you for the lives still living. 

Today I witnessed grown men cry as names of their friends and brothers were read aloud. It was beautiful. To be touched so deeply is truly moving. I was reminded that tears honor.

They truly do.

Tears are the existences of love. No greater honor is bestowed upon a human being than the tears shed from their loss.

I also witnessed young adults grappling with what they know about the world and self sacrifice and I also witnessed beautiful young children just looking at the flag and others not really knowing what the day was all about, and they shouldn't really yet.

Remembrances are for us older folks who have learned hope and loss are kindred spirits that make us who we are. The young should only know hope.

And our tears are also tears of joy for that hope. Today we remembered and also celebrated hope.

We made it through this pandemic.... mostly.

Here are my photos from today's Memorial Day observance in Franklin, Pennsylvania in 2021, an observance that was done privately last year that, today, we observed together again.

​Beautiful.

This felt really good to photograph today.