This past weekend I spent my Saturday catching up on some neglected chores around the house. It was the first weekend we have had for quite some time where we haven't been out of town or been involved with a lot of family activities. I found myself at the hardware store purchasing a new hose and a high pressure nozzle for the back yard. As I left the store I noticed a veteran sitting at a little table selling the artificial poppies in memory of our military veterans. He didn't notice me coming out of the store, so when I dropped a five dollar bill on his table he was a little surprised, but he quickly made sure that I had a poppy to take with me.
As I climbed into my truck, I took a look at the poppy with it's little "in memorium" banner and said out loud, "That's for you Buck", speaking of my dad. I suddenly found myself tearing up, and for the first time since Dad's funeral, I cried. I sat in my truck for the next five minutes thinking of the good things that my dad had done in his life, and allowing myself to feel gratitude for them. It was a good experience and I think a little healing took place.
Charity is defined as "the pure love of Christ" and if we feel charity towards others, the pure love of Christ enables us to look beyond their shortcomings or circumstances and to see them in the light of their relationship to you and to our Father in Heaven. By dwelling on my dad's alcoholism and it's effect on our relationship I have put myself in a position of judging him and thinking negatively of him. I hope that I can get beyond that and start to think of him in more positive ways. I am reminded of the very last verse in the 9th chapter of Luke where it tells us that "no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God". From that, I know that if I consider myself to be one of God's servants, it is up to me to forgive the things of the past in order for me to progress to what I should be. We all need to remember this in our relationships with each other.
At the county office buildings in Morgan, Utah, there is a little square outside where they have erected monuments to the men from the area that served in the various wars since World War I. If you ever find yourself there, take a minute to stop and read these names. Burke Dickson's name is displayed there. He willingly served his country and fellow men by enlisting in the Army Air Corps. He placed his life in jeapardy as a pilot of a B-24 bomber and was decorated twice for his efforts. He returned home, married, and raised four sons, providing for their care and education. He was faithful to his wife and was ultimately sealed to her in the Ogden Utah temple. For all of this, I am grateful.
The next time you find yourself at a rodeo, or a Nascar event, or a ball game, and they play the National Anthem, I hope that each of you will remove your hat, cover your heart with your hand and think about the words that are being sung. We live in a wonderful land, and we enjoy freedoms that others can only dream about, and we owe much of this to the men and women who have fought and died for us. Please, don't ever forget that.