It is a confusing "holiday." There are the people who died after a full life and are celebrated for having spent a part of their youth fighting a good fight. And there are the people who died during that good fight. They are honored. And there are the people who are dead and will be dead because of the current stupidity. They are honored. But the war itself is an evil that should not have been imposed on them and their families. And that colors the acts of honoring.

We hung the flag at half-mast this morning. After I mended it -- no rain but the wind tears everything up. And that's fine. We mean to honor the fallen and the rest who serve. But we hope that our neighbors do not mistake our flag for any show of support for this President or his obscene behavior.

And, yes, we are doing all the other things that need to be done. Yes, I know it's hard to not enjoy a sunny day of BBQing or a night out with friends. My errands need to be run like everyone else's. My kids have the sleepover tonight. Brownies must be baked! I want them to enjoy this day and every other day. I don't want them to know, really know, first hand, about death through war. Or love, for that matter. But that happens. We grieve. We grow.

But to have it thrust upon us for no good or natural reason. . . that's what has me continuing to be angry. The dying is not over. The life-altering injuries have not stopped. The families and this country are still being damaged by this insane war. And for absolutely no good, or even understandable or somehow comforting, reason.

I'm glad we're all having a good Memorial Day. Underneath it all though, and not so underneath, I am angry.

Nance