This morning was misty in Buffalo, New York, so I grabbed my camera and went out shooting. I ended up at the Historical Society, where a beautifully landscaped Japanese garden slopes gracefully down a hill behind the building, and continues onto a chain of small islands in the lake at the bottom of the hill. It's a beautiful spot, and though it's well-known you can still find a moment or two of solitude even on a Saturday morning.
I walked lazily around the lake, taking in the changing view and lost in thought. There's a spot where the path curves, and a small group of stone benches provides a place to sit and rest. I headed for the benches, but when I got there I saw the remains of a late night fishing expedition: jars of dirt (some broken and spilling their contents over the stone), fish heads and tails, beer bottles, candy wrappers. It was an ugly little scene, the more so for being surrounded by such tranquil loveliness. It amazed me that somebody could show such little regard for something so precious and beautiful.
Then I remembered the Constitution.
Tomorrow as we grill hot dogs and throw frisbees and spend time with friends and family, let's take a moment to remember those who made our wonderful way of life possible. But let's not stop there. Let's also make a commitment to honor their memory by making sure those who treat our Constitution like "a god damn piece of paper" don't get away with it. Ever.
Now fire up the grill!