Our whirlwind bus tour of Western France has begun. Our first stop was in Bayeux to see the famous tapestry. I felt cool about how old that thing is and the history it contained, but as soon as my twenty minute audio-guide tour started I felt a little bit like Amy Pohler in Baby Mama. “Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to not watch that.
Next stop, the D-Day beaches and World War II memorials in Normandy. Inside the visitors center looking out over the coast Melissa came up behind me and said to me “I just realized something. It’s memorial day today.” I got chills all over my body. Walking through the cemetery I truly felt that I was on sacred ground. I’m so grateful that Dad made me watch Saving Private Ryan just before I came.
Sitting in the shade under a tree in the cemetery I felt the impact of what was underneath me. 9,000 boys who never made it home. I felt immense gratitude for them and for what they did. My heart hurt as I imaged that they were young men that I know. Friends and brothers and such. We stopped by Pont du Hoc which was incredible. Rolling hills on a cliff. Reminded me half way of Ireland and halfway of a Nicholas Sparks beach. Beautiful weather, wind in my face as I looked out over Utah beach.
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