Summer doesn't officially start until June 21st, but our society has decided summer starts on Memorial Day. We have made it into quite a celebration by beginning the grilling season and opening the pools. We also use this time to remember family members who have died, and we honor their lives by visiting and decorating their grave sites. Many organizations have a memorial service to honor those who served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Honoring those who died in service is really the origin of Memorial Day. It began in the South, before the end of the Civil War, when family members of fallen Confederate soldiers visited grave sites of the fallen. They not only decorated their own loved ones' grave sites, but also the grave sites of Union soldiers as well. Memorial Day evolved to include all wars and then to honor all people who have died.

Memory is a great thing. This Memorial Day, treasure those thoughts, and do honor your deceased loved ones. Especially let us remember the many that have laid down their lives for our country and the ones that are fighting now who need to know we appreciate and care about the sacrifices they're making.

I challenge you to go one step further this Memorial Day weekend, and tell someone that you love them while they're still alive. There is no need to wait until someone dies to express honor, love and respect. So many people take time for granted and think they'll have plenty of it to express their feelings to those they love. Don't make that mistake. Go ahead and take the opportunity to let those you love know how much you really appreciate them.