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This past Monday, I loaded a box in the car to drop at the post office. A grocery list was in my pocket for a trip to the grocery story. While I was out, I’d swing by the car wash. Monday was a day like most days.

When I got to the post office, the parking lot was full, there was a long line of people waiting, but the counter was closed.

“Do we know that someone’s coming back?” I asked. With the post office facing changes, staffing wasn’t a foregone conclusion, I didn’t think. Plus, the box I held was heavy and I had no desire to stand in line for an indefinite period unless the counter people would return soon.

Everyone looked at me as though I’d asked them if the sun would rise the next day. A man pointed to a sign by the mail drop slots. “It says 2:30.”

Though it was nearly 2:30, I turned and left. I’d get groceries, wash the car, and hit the post office on my return. When I returned an hour later, I was happy to see the parking lot was empty. I carried my box inside and saw that the counter was still closed. What? It took a few moments but finally it dawned on me that Monday was Veteran’s Day. Of course! I walked away shaking my head. And giving thanks.

I am grateful for the men and women who choose military service as a full time career to defend us. I’m equally grateful to those citizen soldiers who give up weekends and weeks and years to serve as part of the National Guard and Reserve forces overseas and at home.

Even though I’d read the Veteran’s Day articles in the paper, even though I’d thanked in person several people in active military service, even though I’d watched coverage of Veteran’s Day events on TV. Even then, I’d turned right around and lived the rest of the day without a care. I could do that because of our strong military. What a country we live in that I can go about my days with so little concern. Oh, yes. I’m thankful.