United as One

I love holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. I love how everyone gathers together with those whom they love and spend the day swimming, cooking out, going to the lake, etc. I love that Cory has the day off of work and that I can spend the whole day playing and having fun instead of housework. But, there is something I love even more about these holidays. This morning as I was running (sorry, I know I write a lot about things I think about when I'm running, but it's because I actually have some time by myself to think about all the things that my crazy random mind thinks about instead of a diaper rash that won't go away or field trip money that I forgot to turn in)...anyways, back to running this morning, I kept passing home after home that had American flags flying in their yard. I love that on days like this we seem to come together as a nation. Not just in our festivities and celebrating, but in our hearts as we remember that freedom is not something we should ever take for granted. Memorial day isn't just a day to remember those who wear the uniform of a soldier (although we definitely should) it is also a day to remember who we are as a nation, where we have been, and where we are headed. A day for us to feel united in remembering. Last night, I went to a pretty amazing fireside. The author of the book series Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites was a speaker as well as two song writers/singers (one of them was in my ward growing up). Every song that was sung and word that was spoken was beautiful and wonderful but that wasn't even my favorite part. My favorite part came at the very end. Part of the reason I attended this fireside was because I wanted to be supportive of a young women in my Sunday School class who was singing the closing song. She was singing I Know that My Redeemer Lives. The moment she opened her mouth she had my full attention. Her voice was beautiful and angelic. Around the 2nd or 3rd verse, she messed up a little bit on the lyrics. She stopped singing for a second and then picked right back up on the next phrase. Although I know she was a little embarrassed, I loved that part. I don't really know how to explain why, but I just thought it went so perfectly with what she was singing about...about her..and our... need for the Savior and the Atonement. After she messed up, you could tell that she lost a little bit of her confidence. But then, on the last verse (my favorite verse) she had everyone in the congregation join in. Going from one voice to a whole room full of voices was incredible...like goose bumps all over incredible. Together we sang. We sang with intensity, feeling, and conviction. Together we sang united as one. And as I sang, my thoughts turned to the Savior and my need and love for him, which is where I'm sure everyone else's thoughts were as well. In that moment, we became one....united in remembering. Whether is is remembering the sacrifices of soldiers or the ultimate sacrifice of our Savior, when we "sing" in unison together we can become a nation and a people who not only feel greater gratitude, but also feel a greater love for our neighbors, a love which ultimately can overcome anything.