What’s going on Trainwrecks? My name is Dominick Juliano and I am a student of Psychology sharing my PhD journey. Many people have specific days they hold dear to them throughout the year. Most of us look forward to the festivities celebrated during Holidays, and the joy of great company. Trick or treating during Halloween celebrations is always a blast with my family, as we often visit friends that live in a neighborhood. My home is very rural and has very few neighbors within a mile. Memorial day is day that is particularly special to me.
Commitment is doing what we said we would do
Memorial Day is a day I like to spend not only thinking of the amazing people I can no longer visit in person, but by showing my gratitude through sharing stories with my son. I have long tried to maintain a closeness to him I never had with my own father, explaining things like honoring your word, being courageous and acknowledging acts of selflessness. In time as I have, he will learn more about why people are the way they are and why people do what they do. He will learn about the people I have had the honor of knowing, and what they did.
For me, Memorial Day is an important time for reflection. For each person, Memorial Day has its own meaning like any other day. Memorial Day is a day I think about some cool people I’ve met over the years. They are all just regular people like you and me. The difference, however, is that these people did what they said they would do if they were asked to. And to be honest, that’s what hurts sometimes.
Presently, I show my appreciation to those people by “trying” to be a good Father. In my retirement I have had a lot of time to think and reflect on things I didn’t understand at the time but was glad I experienced. In my studies of successful behavior, I have learned the value of making every hour count and I realize therefore we naturally admire those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
It’s our continuing duty to be a better person than yesterday
As a child my son’s age, I had no clue what honor and commitment even meant. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to teach him using the examples of people I have met as they have taught me through their words and actions. My son’s heroes have rank, not a team. My son’s heroes have shown compassion and humility in the light of their success. My son’s heroes are average people who try to be a better person than they were yesterday.
I realize what a beautiful day Memorial Day is, because of what it means to me. Trainwrecks, let’s make each day count, no matter what day it is. We can do this.
