At the Downtown Park there are benches that surround the walkway around the reflecting pool. Each has a plaque on it, with someone's name and some tidbits about their life. This one noted that the man liked bringing his granddaughters to play at the park. As I read the plaque I could hear kids laughing on the nearby swings.
Someone left a rose in his honor and I thought it was beautiful. Remembering is, according to the dictionary, "bringing to one's mind an awareness of someone/something that one has seen, known, or experienced in the past."
Remembering is a way we carry those we love with us. It's also an act of faith, as we remain rooted in tradition while also keeping our hearts open to God's future. God seeks to re-member us: to drawing us together, not so that we grow in sameness, but so we can grow in faith and willingness to work together for the kingdom.
An action like placing flowers on a bench, is a tangible way to remember and claim our hope for the future. Small acts of generosity, love, and gratitude go a long way. Join me at the park in two weeks, won't you?
