The picture says it all; one lone, solitary flag. Usually 18,000 flags are placed prior to commemorating Memorial Day honoring the men and women laid to rest in the Marietta National Cemetery who have given their lives serving our Nation’s Armed Forces. But, not this year.

Not this year.

No. Not this year. So much has changed and perhaps rightly so. As my wife and I ventured up the hillside to the Memorial Dais on Memorial Day in the cemetery, there were only a few folks reverently, respectfully pacing the rows of the fallen. I recognized a mother of a soldier, a fine son, whose funeral service I had officiated a few years ago at the Georgia National Military Cemetery in Canton.

“Pastor Mark”, yes. “What is the time limit on depression?” “What is the timeframe for sorrow?” Her questions were not really answerable. But I did my best to be her friend. To listen. Even with the pandemic circumstance, my wife hugged her after we talked and we all prayed together. As we parted and strolled on, “you hugged her,” I said almost accusingly. “Pandemic or no pandemic, “we have to do what we have to do…”. Hmmm…well said.

But the question of this mother of the Army Officer Son who died serving our country prompted me to consider: what is the time limit for crisis? What is the timeframe related to anxiety? Apprehension? Avoidance? And how does faith, hope, and trust enter into this “odd, peculiar, puzzling, and unprecedented difficult and sad time”? (quoted from last month’s ‘Chaplain’s Corner’ prayer).

As we all eventually venture “back out” into our routines and return to our customary schedules and typical, frequented places, I hope and pray we will go affirming, celebrating, and reinforcing our Rotary “distinctiveness.” Space limitations here will not allow me to pontificate all the EXCEPTIONAL Rotary qualities and virtues that make us who we are, and why we are, who we are. But I wholeheartedly believe that we need to consider the time limit, the timeframe, the necessary, decisive time for stepping out and away from fear, anxiety, apprehension, and avoidance. I’ve had the COVID-19 virus, my wife has had the virus as well. I have lost friends to the virus. But, can I live in isolation, anxiety, apprehension, and avoidance forever? Ponderances to consider for sure. Faith over fear? Hope over heartbreak? Trust over trepidation.

What will be beneficial to all?

One lone, solitary Rotarian can, should, and will always make a difference. Our distinctive commitment to the Truth, Fairness, Goodwill, Friendship, Beneficiary conduct, and Service Above Self will prevail.

So, again, God, please guard us, guide us, protect us… provide for us as only you can as we try to press on. Increase our faith, hope, and trust in you. This is our prayer. AMEN and AMEN.