A lost life is considered the ultimate sacrifice, the burden of which is carried in advance, often as the result of the uncertainty of the outcome. Honor, courage, selflessness and a sense of duty help us manage this burden. We think of these qualities mostly associated with first responders who put their lives on the line...for us.
There's another burden. The one most of us carry when we feel we haven’t done enough. The same burden Ira Hayes carried after WWII. We compare ourselves to others who have done more, given more of themselves.
What burdens do we carry when we feel we haven’t sacrificed enough? When we haven’t given enough? When we’ve been selfish? And how can we better manage these burdens? What actions can we take to relieve the tension, and perhaps the guilt?