Sometime during this Memorial Day weekend, I suspect many of us will spend some time in a cemetery.

We might be there to place flowers by the headstones of departed family members or friends, or to honor those who gave their lives in defense of their country.

Either way, I invite everyone to take time to reflect on the setting before you.

You may see peaceful scenes of well-kept lawns and trees. There nestled in the park-like surroundings are row after row of names carved in stone. Some are weathered by time and the elements, while others are clear and poignant.

You may see the many decorations. Flags, pinwheels, pictures, wind chimes and flowers provide color and vibrancy.

The main reason for me to visit a cemetery is usually to remember family members who have passed on, but I usually also take a few moments to wander and look at the memorials of those who have gone before.

On the holiday, many of the gravesites have American flags, highlighting the person’s service in the armed forces. To me, seeing them is an important reminder that many put themselves in danger so I could walk freely. I don’t know if we can ever do enough to truly recognize all we owe them for their sacrifices.

With each step, I pass by another marker to someone’s life. I may just see their names now, but they were individuals who lived and loved and struggled and triumphed just like I do.

Sometimes I wonder what they would tell us if they could talk to us now.

No doubt many would be amazed at our modern conveniences … cars, cell phones, computers, indoor plumbing, etc. They might describe how incomprehensible it is for them to see all the growth in Utah Valley.

But mostly I suspect they would try to help us better prioritize what really matters in life. They probably understand that time is limited and so we need to make the most of what we have.

Because that’s really all we can do, isn’t it?

I think about how it’s now my turn.

How will I honor the legacies of those family, friends and even strangers who went before?

Just like they had, I have an opportunity each day to make a difference. It might not be dramatic or earth-shaking, but it can still be profound.

I hope I make the most of it by leaving the world around me better than when I got there, with more kindness, more understanding, more empathy and more gratitude.

What better way is there to celebrate the memories of the dead on this Memorial Day than resolving to do a little bit better for the living?

Jared Lloyd is the managing editor for the Daily Herald.