Today, the flags wave high, the grills light up, and the country pauses to honor our fallen heroes.
But for many of us, Memorial Day is not just a national moment—it’s personal.
I’m a veteran.
I’ve served alongside brave souls who never made it home.
I’m a widow.
My husband served our country with everything he had—and he paid a price that showed up long after his deployments ended.
I’m a mother.
And today, I hold space for my children who carry the weight of a hero they’ll always miss.
This isn’t just a day for barbecue. It’s a day for memory, for legacy, for the quiet strength of families who live with an empty seat at the table—not just today, but every day.
Memorial Day reminds me of the cost of service—but it also reminds me of the power of resilience.
The kind of resilience that shows up when you keep going.
When you raise babies in the shadow of grief.
When you turn pain into purpose and create new life from loss.
Today, I’m remembering my husband.
I’m remembering the friends we’ve lost.
I’m remembering every spouse, every parent, every child who knows this ache all too well.
And I’m also remembering this:
Grief and gratitude can coexist.
Heartache and healing can walk hand in hand.
And honoring the past doesn’t mean you stop building a future.
So if today feels heavy for you, you’re not alone.
Pause. Breathe. Remember.
And know that your strength is a living legacy, too.
With love and remembrance,
La 💙
