A group of soldiers returned home from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan yesterday. I imagined a young boy studying each soldier as he came down the escalator to meet his waiting family. “Nope, not him. Nope, not her.” he would say ever so soft. His heart was pounding as each soldier passed by — was it Dad, yet? His anticipation filled his entire body. Then, all at once time froze. At the top of the escalator stood a man — 10 feet tall to the little boy. He stood there silently, glanced for a moment and then their eyes met. There his dad stood at attention, saluting the young boy. The anticipation could no longer be contained in his little body. Tears flowed from his eyes as he ran to his dad who flew just as fast down the escalator. The physical reunion was powerful. The bond of love could be felt by all those who witnessed the scene. There was silence as the crowd watched, totally absorbed in the moment. Then, as if by cue, a thunder of applause sounded. The two hugged and kissed. As his dad set him down, he reached in his pocket and pulled out a tattered paper hug and pressed it in his son’s hand. Only a few could hear his words, “Your hug stayed with me and now it is yours to remember our love.” Another hug followed.

This Memorial Day remember our loved ones — all of them. A hug to each of them!