By Erica and Karen

Memorial Day. The beach. The sun. Swimming. A carefree summer vacation.

But wait. That was then. This Memorial Day will surely be different. Beach and sun and swimming are still there, in theory, but the rules have changed, drastically. Carefree is a casualty.

There have been other casualties too—even aside from the horrifying numbers of people who have been sick and have died—losses in a bitter war against an unseen enemy that evoke the reason we celebrate Memorial Day in the first place. Graduation was a big loss. All kinds of gatherings were another. The way we think about human interaction has changed irrevocably too. It has become second nature to get off the sidewalk to avoid passing too near another person. That does not seem like an evolutionary advance.

We agree with all of those who say we must make an opportunity of this disaster. Yes, our losses are great, and some changes will be permanent. We need to make sure some of the permanent changes make our world better. Value people, treat them kindly, remember that we rise only if we all rise together.

Make this a Memorial Day to remember.