My best friend received a small miracle today. In a newly tilled garden, her daughter found a wedding ring – the one my friend lost 36 years ago when they built their house. What made it extra special, was that today was her oldest son’s birthday – a son she lost to a tragic and senseless accident. It was a long time ago, but on this special day, I’m sure it feels like only yesterday. I’d like to think that ring made her remember him crawling through the tall grass as a toddler and laughing with his face to the sun – happy times. I hope so. His smile is what so many of us remember. Some of you might call it a happy coincidence. I don’t believe in coincidence. I believe it was meant to happen at a time when my friend needed it. I believe in miracles.
Though I’ve never seen one of the biggies, you know, like mountains moved or water turned to wine, I’ve seen the small ones on a regular basis. My degree declares me to be a biologist and I’m a big believer in science, but the miracles of science aren’t miraculous at all unless you count the miracle of dedication shown by the scientists who work tirelessly to discover the miracles that are there waiting for them.
The real biological miracles are those I see in my garden. Seeds – some so tiny I can hold a hundred on the tip of my finger – sprout, their genetic design so intricate as to develop into thousands of different plants. Tiny fledglings are leaving the nest, having survived storms and squirrels and raccoons, not to mention the neighborhood cats. Their survival alone is a miracle.
Yeah, yeah, I know about the big bang theory, but please don’t tell me it wasn’t God’s finger that lit the match. I held a new baby yesterday and the miraculous beauty of a newborn child always make me cry. That one egg and one sperm can combine and grow into such a perfect creature with the myriad of functions its body can perform, well, you can’t tell me that isn’t a miracle.
This is Memorial Day weekend and that’s another miracle I’ve been privileged to witness; a thriving country that was melded together by the most diverse group of people the world has ever seen. Our diversity has become our strength. In our history together, we’ve argued over sex, race and religion and fought political battles on a regular basis, but we are Americans, first and foremost and in spite of our differences or maybe because of them, we are the most generous and freedom loving nation on earth. That is a miracle I’m so proud of and grateful for.
Since our country’s inception, millions of men and women, regardless of their personal beliefs or political affiliations, have fought for the freedoms we all enjoy. They set aside their personal differences to stand shoulder to shoulder to defend our rights to have them!
Some thought when the draft was discontinued, it would be the downfall of our military might, but today, our military is as strong as ever. Miracle of miracles, it is staffed by legions of volunteers who believe in our way of life. Like those who preceded them, they are willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedoms.
This Memorial Day, let’s remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the irreparable tears their losses left in the fabric of the lives of those who knew and loved them. Take a moment to think of the boys and girls that they once were and thank them for what they grew up to become. They’re heroes, one and all. They’ll hear your thanks and it will make them smile to know they are remembered with honor and love. That’s something else I believe.
