Life can be so serious and task-laden, that we forget to enjoy life. But one thing that can help bring balance is to get together with those we care about. When those times revolve around big holidays like Christmas, or small ones like Memorial Day weekend, you can make those times memorable by observing the meaning of the holiday, with just a little bit of extra effort.

As good as the meals are and as beautiful or fun the decorations may be, holidays should also be occasions to reflect on the important things we value.

Be creative with meals and location. For instance pack a picnic dinner to eat, and puzzles & games on the United States to play, before the fireworks on the 4th of July.

You can honor the Veterans in your family on Memorial Day or Veterans Day. If they are present at your gathering have them tell their stories. Or get out the pictures, tell the children and grandchildren about the experiences of the brave soldiers in your family, and the freedoms they fought for.

Or simply take the kids out when school is closed for a national holiday, such as President's Day. Make it a fun day, perhaps at the museum 'teaching' them about American Presidents, or pretend together about what each of you would do if you were President of the United States over the all-American favorite - ice cream cones.

Your country needs you! The world the next generation will inherit and be responsible for is being determined by our generation.

The public policies our generation puts into place now, the judges that are put on the bench, the values which dominate, moral or immoral... now...are what we are building on the foundation that was laid when this country was formed. And what we build will be the 'house' the next generation will 'live in'.

What kind of builders are we? What kind of 'house' are we building for them? Shakey or solid?

Are you engaged? Are you part of the crowd that takes "of, by and for the people" to heart?

Will your voice be heard, for instance, in the state-by-state debate that is growing on whether intelligent design should be taught in school? Or on life and death issues, and the weird things that are going on in the bioethics arena?

There is a place for every single American in the public square. Sure, some may have to fight harder for their place than others, but it nevertheless is yours. I challenge you to find your place and take it and be diligent to stand in it. The reasons are obvious... our children and grandchildren. Will we leave the world a better place for them? Or at least be found fighting to make it so?