Memory is a very special gift. Over Memorial Day Weekend, my wife and I went to Springfield Illinois to visit the Lincoln sites. It seemed an appropriate thing to do since the Holiday was started during his administration.

Memories flooded my mind while walking around Springfield. Not only did I think about all those soldiers who gave their lives during a very volatile time in our country, I also remembered all my friends and family who have gone on before me. Feelings ranged from sadness to joy as I realized how much I missed them, and then how blessed I was to have had the privilege of knowing them.

Another factor added to this extreme range of emotions in that I realized this would be my last Memorial Day Holiday as pastor under a full time appointment. As of July 1st, I'll be officially retired. Although this transition will be a good one for my family, it still brings with it some mixed emotions.

All of life's transitions cause us to reflect on what is important in life and what we hope to gain from it. We live in a society where sharing or expressing emotions is a sign of weakness. I encourage you to be genuine and real, and let yourself experience and express your feelings as you transition through them. Feelings are not good or bad in and of themselves; they just are what they are. Enjoy your memories, let yourself feel through them, and then anticipate and plan what memories you want to create. Life is rich and full of neat experiences and feelings. Don't deprive yourself of any of it. Shalom.