Last night we were driving home from a friend's house when we passed Golden Gate National Cemetery, a military cemetery in San Bruno. It was a foggy night and from the freeway I could see a lone spotlight softly lighting up the waving American flag, which was doing a slow ripple with the wind.
And it was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen.
I'm not what you would call a patriot and I don't usually feel American pride. I also don't think America is the best country or that the American government always does the right thing. But looking at that flag I felt a momentary keen sense of love for my country. I love that American and Americans for the most part strive to be better or be in a better situation than they are currently in, and that there is hope that that's possible. We are taught to believe that theoretically we could do anything and be anyone. And even if this is not absolutely true, it's beautiful to live in a country where that could possibly be true. And with these vague notions I begin to understand why some solders would give up their lives for our country. And so on this Memorial Day I quietly thank not only my fellow Americans who lost their lives but also to my fellow American who are still actively serving our wonderful nation.