Praise to the God of all Comfort: Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day. Throughout the years, this day used to bother Ryan because so many people would thank him for his service on Memorial Day, confusing Veterans Day with Memorial Day. He would kindly explain that Veterans Day would be the day to thank him, but that Memorial Day belongs to those heroes who paid the ultimate price for our freedom - their lives. This past summer I received the paperwork that stated how my Ryan died what the Air Force categorizes as a "service-related death." And so this year I appropriately recognize Ryan for the first time on Memorial Day (and also on Veterans Day, as both would be appropriate now). I would give anything to hear him explain again how this day was not for him, but instead we honor him and his sacrifice and we mourn the fact that he fought hard but did not win the battle for life. The children and I are back in Washington DC this weekend, with our amazing TAPS family, remembering and celebrating the life of our precious hero. Here a are few random pictures of Ryan serving over the years that make me smile. :)