With the Memorial Day
weekend comes the unofficial beginning of summer for
many, but before we all get carried away with the trappings
of the warmth and/or heat of the sunny season, we need
to remember that Memorial Day is just that - a day with
which to remember our dead - our fallen veterans that
we also remember on Veterans Day as well as those near
and dear to us who may not have served in uniform that
have nonetheless passed on, whether they be parents,
grandparents or all too sadly in some cases, children.
One of the traditions
of summer of course is the box office - some of which
we have already had a taste. Spiderman has broken all
kinds of records with over $200 million in its first
10 days and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones is making
some impressive marks of its own as well. After last
year’s pathetic performance at theaters, this year is
indeed going to be fun if the last three weeks are any
indication.
Another tradition I
remember with fondness from my days in Southern California
was the annual Mr. Sun weekend done over Memorial Day
weekend. Sponsored by the church of which I am a member,
it begins with a 5K run on Saturday morning, followed
by a day of beach activity and a dance that evening
and special Sunday services for young single adults
in the 18-30 age group and a special devotional that
evening. Even though I pulled a hamstring muscle the
third year I was there, I still put in a respectable
time and consider my time in California some of my most
cherished memories, having laid some of the groundwork
for even more memories that would come in the years
ahead - which sure enough, they did!
More than that, the
fun summer brings with it includes the opportunity to
travel and visit family and friends whether near or
far. Some of us will visit locally and some of us will
travel across the country. Some of us will be gone a
few days and others will be gone for the whole summer.
It also brings with it the need to exercise an extra
degree of vigilance particularly on account of the events
of 9-11 and the recent warning to those living in apartment
buildings to watch out for the lunatics of al-Qaeda.
Last
year, I had the opportunity to go to Utah and visit
my two oldest children as well as my best friend
LuAnn (pictured, right) who has always been there
for me through all the good times as well as the
rough times in my life. I am happy to say that I
have been able to return the favor as well. To get
away - even for a trip of only several days, was
nonetheless a treat as well as a much-needed respite
for both of us.
It was a renewal of
the human spirit and a reaffirmation of the strength
of the bonds of love, trust and appreciation that are
part and parcel of deep and abiding friendships, and
that to me, is what makes for stars of the first magnitude
as I alluded to in my year-end column last December.
So with this summer
getting ready to kick off this afternoon when the work
day finishes, let us each remember to be careful when
we drive, that we may have a happy and safe Memorial
Day weekend and that it may be safe and memorable summer
for all of us - one that we will remember with fondness
and appreciation for years to come as we either establish
or renew annual traditions with families and/or friends,
for when you get right down to it, that is what it’s
all about, don’t you think?
Have a great summer!
Timothy Rollins
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