"A Life Given"

I always liked having days off from work; sleep in, eat breakfast out, watch television and nap whenever I wanted to. Some of us spend those days doing projects around the house; fix loose boards, paint, hang pictures or any multitude of things that seem to pile up on out "to-do" lists. Some days off lend themselves to celebration; Independence Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, New Years Day all seem to call for a salubrious times, filled with music, parades, food and sometimes fireworks. Some of our days off are more solemn than others; Memorial Day and Veterans Day usually lend themselves to "moments of silence", and patriotic speeches. We spend a portion of those days honoring the memories of those who have served, and died, for America. New Years Day seems to be a day of just crazy celebration, noise makers and fireworks are the order of the day; also there have been rumors of alcohol consumption by celebrants. We have days where we take time to thank God. We celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas to give honor to our Creator for His providence (if you're an atheist, you aren't expected to celebrate; it is your option). We Americans like days off!

Today Americans are celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I don't think there will be any fireworks today; I do expect some "moments of silence" and some speeches of remembrance to honor Dr. King's life and legacy. For some reason, there are states that don't recognize this holiday; I don't understand their reasoning. Dr. King was a beacon of freedom and reason during some of America's most distressing times. Dr. King held a mirror up to the face of America, and we were forced to examine our national image; "warts and all". I don't know if the Civil Rights Movement in America could have found a better leader than Dr. King. He was a man who preached peace, without being "sheepish"; he believed in human dignity for all men. He believed in the "content of character"; something we would be well served in looking at today. There is still an element of "low foreheads" in America who hate Dr. King; and I'm sure all thinking people know who those people are (pointed hats, and tiny brains). Dr. King was murdered by a racist lunatic at a tender age. We will never know what was destroyed by the acts of a mad man. The saddest thing in any individual's life is unfulfilled potential.

When we begin to enjoy this "day off", it would probably be a good idea to remember why we are home today. A courageous man dedicated his life to make the lives of others better. Try to remember, it wasn't only given for one portion of America, it was given for all of America. Each of us should realize that today America is a better place because of Martin Luther King Jr. We are blessed to have had him.