Dad allowed us to climb up on the running boards, or sit in the dip of the huge front fenders. That's just the way cars were made in those days, which certainly made it fun for my brothers and I.
Mom would wash the brown granite stone, and weed all around. Real flowers were always planted, never plastic on styrofoam forms, popular in the day. It was an annual family event to do this, and we all went.
My Dad died in '71, and all of us have gone out to the cemetery where he is, with Mom, throughout the years. Now that Mom is 92, my oldest brother lives closest to the cemetery and is so good about keeping up the tradition for Mom's sake. She goes along, and comments that the headstone will have to be changed when she "goes." "Nobody thought I'd live this long," she says. The date on her side of the stone is 1917-19__.
She's well into the new millennium, and is like a Timex; keeps on ticking.
Memorial Day is still a time when families "decorate" the graves, but more so, it is now a day recognizing our soldiers, in every branch of service. Truly, it is to recognize the dead, who fell while serving. But, let's not forget that we have thousands of men "over there" still working, and fighting for peace in a land that seems it doesn't want it. Military work is hard, lonely, and dangerous.
Their families give them up, so that they can serve. They hold their breath until they are in sight again, and welcomed into waiting arms. God speed to all our men, who are there, who have died, who are safely home. God speed.
.jpg)
9 comments:
What saddens me to deeply is the Decoration Day/Memorial Day has become a long weekend to so many young people. It's a time for beer and cook outs and nothing else.
My father, who served in WWII, would go to the cemetery each Memorial Day to place flags on the graves of the fallen soldiers. He did that until he was 87 years old and shortly thereafter, he passed away.
I miss the true meaning of the day.
In church this morning, the pastor reminded everyone that Memorial Day isn't about living veterans (as they are honored on Veterans Day), it's about those who have been killed in service. Oddly enough, I heard several people around us saying "I never thought of that"- the real meaning really is slipping away, I'm afraid.
Thank you for saying what I have been feeling for a while.
Amen to what you say Corgi Dog Mama. Those were the good ole days. Repect and love. Families were closer together. Now we are all so spread out.
I'm glad you have your mom.
And yes - let's remember what Memorial Day is all about. We have a lot to be thankful for.
Touching post.
Hi dearie.
"It's up to the living, to remember the dead." I take that seriously and sounds like your family does, too.
"Gone, never forgotten."
The poem by Ashley Rice - loved it. You are one of those great women friends.
If I haven't told you already...I love you. Why? Because you just made me laugh so hard the dogs brought me their toys thinking I wanted to play! You are sunshine!
Stop by my blog - there's an award waiting there for you today!
Post a Comment