An Unplanned Memorial Day post

If you live in the United States, you know that today is Memorial Day. A day to remember the men and women who gave their lives defending our country, our freedom.

I was flipping through emails this morning, and saw two that stood out to me. One was from a makeup company, and the other, a bulk supply store.

The makeup supply email’s subject line was: “take a moment to remember.” The bulk store’s was: “find great values this Memorial Day.”

I opened both.

The makeup email had a simple word art picture in the company’s colors that said, “today we honor the heroes who have fallen, and thank them for making our country a better place for everyone.”

That was it. Just the word art.

The other email said (paraphrased) “stores would be closed for the day...shop online now.”

The contrast struck me. I admit, I was surprised at the first email—no sales, no pushing to squeeze in a good deal this weekend, just a simple, honorary statement. They didn’t have to do that. They aren’t a ginormous company. I didn’t expect that from them.

But the other email totally bypassed what Memorial Day is about and basically said, “since the stores are closed, we have a fix. Come see us online.”

Three of the four emails in the inbox mentioning Memorial Day were advertising sales—some that said, “today only.”

The fourth wasn’t after money. It just said something simple. They wouldn’t get anything out of it. But to me, that’s the one that had the most value. That’s the one that counted the most. That’s the only one that mattered today.

I don’t like saying, “Happy Memorial Day.” Someone once rightfully said that it isn’t a day that we tack “happy” onto. So as I close, let me wish you a grateful Memorial Day. Remember what it’s really about. Remember our heroes. Remember what really matters today.