It’s the weekend we all look forward to… The kick-off to summer, filled with barbeques, pool time, or taking the boat out on the lake. A long weekend to kick back, relax, and start the summer season off right! However, Memorial Day is not just the unofficial beginning of summer (yay!) but a day of remembering the men and women who have died while serving our country.

We’re eager for all the adventure that summer holds, and we’re currently tending to the final preparations for our first trip of the year to Ethiopia next week. During this time, amongst all the goings-on, we make sure to take time and step back to reflect on the sacrifice that this holiday has been set aside to remember. We have been given so much by those who have fought and died for the freedoms we often take for granted. This year, as we’re simultaneously taking part in remembrance for our loved ones, and preparing to head to another country, we can’t help but be humbled by the luxuries we experience daily.

We are so fortunate for what we have been given. It’s easy to feel discouraged, sometimes guilty, because we reap the reward without partaking in the sacrifice. Using the gifts we have been given to benefit those who are still in the midst of struggle is part of the way we honor those who sacrificed for the comforts we enjoy. When you donate to Water to Thrive through our website, you always have the opportunity to make your donation in honor of, or in memory of, someone special. As you celebrate the joy and laughter this weekend, don’t forget to stop and send up a thank you. If you feel inclined, make a donation to honor those close to you who died to make a better life for you, whether by serving our country or in other ways. In doing so, you’ll be supporting an organization working to aid those in Africa who are still struggling to find a way to build something better for their loved ones. Happy Memorial Day!