Memorial Day in the States is to remember those that have served our country. It is also the unofficial kickoff for summer. My mom’s family used to celebrate this day with a cook-out with all the cousins playing a rousing game of kickball – they usually let me play, but I was never any good. But my favorite memories were of my Grandmother. My mom would pick her up somtime during the weekend and we would go out to the cemetery to put flowers on the graves of my grandfather, and then stop to find the graves of my paternal grandmother and other relatives. I think the reason that I thought it was so special was because it was a tradition that had certain steps involved. She always brought an old mayonnaise jar full of water for the flowers. That would be carefully tucked in the floorboard of the backseat of the car. It was my job to make sure nothing happened to it. Then we would head out into her yard and pick the flowers. We would take “flags” or irises – the big old fashioned lavender ones that had a heavenly scent. Then we would pick peonies. If the ones in her yard were not blooming, we would stop at my aunts house and raid her huge row of peonies. They also had a wonderful fragrance, though I never thought much of the ants that liked to take up residence in them. We would then head to the cemetary where we would clean off the headstones, fill the urns with water and arrange the flowers. Then we would stand next to the graves and offer prayers for them and for all the souls of the departed. As I sit here typing I can almost smell Gramma’s lotion, hear the buzzing of the insects in the woods next to the cemetary, hear the flapping of the flags that lined the road, and feel the warm sun. It has been years since I have gone to the cemetary – I no longer live in my hometown. I will have to make an effort to get out there the next time I am in town. The girls need to experience the simplicity of those traditions, to be taught that death is nothing more than the completion of a life and nothing to be afraid of. They also need to hear the stories of those that are buried there and celebrate the lives they lived. Happy Memorial Day!
May 25, 2008
My little gymnast
These were photos taken back in March (before the cast), when JB was in gymnastics. She loved it and always looked forward to her class. I am always amazed when I look at her pictures, how someone so tiny can have such long legs!
Credits for the layout:
Kit – Sadie Jane by Genevieve Sass and Vickie Stegall
Template – Doubles Wave by Teriann Hanks (modified)
Front – Kristin ITC
