"When the entire nation had finished crossing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua:"Select twelve men from the people, one from each tribe, and command them,’Take twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood. Carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you camp tonight.’ " Then Joshua summoned the twelve men from the Israelites, whom he had appointed, one from each tribe. Joshua said to them, "Pass on before the ark of your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, one for each of the tribe of the Israelites, so that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the art of the covenant of God. When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the Israelites a memorial forever." Joshua 4:1-7
All over our country this weekend, people will gather. They will gather in homes, in parks, at playgrounds, at the cabin. They will also gather at cemeteries, large and small, and stand in front of stones…the tombstones of those they loved, those they honor, those they miss. Parades will process with pomp and joy that leads to solemnity as the bands take to the holy ground of fallen soldiers,beloved fathers,mothers,brothers,sisters,children, full families.
Memorial Day often signals the beginning of summer. Many children have never experienced the annual pilgrimage to the cemetery and will not have memories others of us do. Fewer and fewer will ask the question: "What do these stones mean to you?"
As a child I remember this weekend with fondness and a little melancholy. Yes, it was the beginning of the summer, the weekend the city swimming pool opened, the official signal of the freedom that summer brings to a child. It was also the time when we marched with happiness through the streets, bands in full sound, queens on convertibles, fire engines blaring. But as the parade came into view of those standing at the cemetery gates, silence fell. We marched quietly, respectfully,Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, believers and nonbelievers, side by side to stand in the presence of the stones.
As we listened to the clear sound of the trumpet playing "taps" we could see the emotion on the faces of those who remembered…..war, youth,loss,anger,disappointment,tragedy,love. As the far off echo of that same tune played its mournful return, those same faces fixed their gaze and became a strong and steadfast witness to the memorial in our midst. The power that can come from people being in silence together settled over the well-mown lawn,the flags flying gently in the breeze.
What do these stones mean to us? Each of us would answer differently from our own life experience, our own worldview, our own knowledge of loss and the Sacred. For me, to be in their presence is to know, as Moses did when he witnessed the burning bush, that indeed I am on holy ground. I give thanks for the stones and the lives of those whose names are etched upon them…a memorial forever.
Blessings on your weekend………..