Memorial Day is here and what fun for many of us. A 3 day weekend to officially start summer. A perfect weekend for family and friends gathering, trips to the beach, or just some personal downtime to relax and recharge.
For me, Memorial Day is a magical day where I become the world’s greatest chef. As my wife stands nearby with the fire department on speed-dial and holding a bucket of water, I roll out the grill, place a mountain of charcoal with lighter fluid and, poof… A flash of fire gets caught on Google maps, and summer commences.
On any other day my gasoline-infused hockey puck burgers and blistered hot dogs would be the neighborhood laughingstock, but not today. With my plaid shorts, Hawaiian shirt, Cuban hat and boat shoes, I am ready to ride. I grab my 4 foot long spatula and tongs and start flipping those burgers and turning those hot dogs. Timer? Pft, this is Memorial Day, I don’t need no stinking timer!
My wife says they only rave about my grilling because I serve so late and everyone is starving by the time it is ready. She says I sleep in and dawdle all day. I think not! The perfect burger can only be ready when the 9pm fireworks start. The flowing gastric juices from starvation and the wafting gunpowder smell only serve to enhance the already perfect flavor.
My secret ingredient. Love! Only love will cause a man (or a woman) to stand in the 90 degree Florida heat slaving over a 300 degree pile of hot coals to feed his family.
“There is no greater love than a man (or women) who will lay down his life for another.”
John 15:13
Maybe it is not the actual day, but the reason for the day why my grilling is always perfect on this one day every year. Since 1776, millions of brave men and women gave their lives to ensure all of our freedoms. There is no greater love than a man (or women) who will lay down his life for another. Because of their sacrifice and their gift of love, our American freedoms and way of life are secure.
Neither my burgers nor our American way of life is perfect, but they were both created with love and are better than anywhere else in the world.
This Memorial Day, please take a moment to give thanks to those who sacrificed their life for you. Accept their gift of love and help spread love throughout our great nation.