Remembering...

Today is Memorial Day here in the US. It's a day set aside each year to remember those who've gone before, mostly with an emphasis on those who've lost their lives in the armed forces. So today I will remember some of my loved ones.

My Dad - I've written a bit about him before. He was a kind, generous man who worked hard for his family. He was also a lover of mischief and could give as good as he got!

Uncle Ted - AKA Michael - My Dad's brother and best buddy. They golfed every Tuesday in the Senior League at Muni up until the year my Dad got sick. They'd count each other strokes studiously and then argue about their scores between each hole. It was a ritual with them!

Aunt Evelyn - Uncle Ted's wife - the women barely spoke above a whisper and when she did it was only to remind Uncle Ted to remember to tell us something. She'd never just say it herself. I never understood that!

Aunt Myrtle - Dad's sister - she married late, staying at home to take care of Grandma, and then when she married, she married well! Her first husband was a railroad man and she inherited a lot of money. Her second husband was with the Kraft Corp. and she inherited even more! She used to bring my mom clothes she didn't want anymore and my mom would always says, "Aunt Myrt's hand me downs are better than my regular clothes!"

Aunt Hazel - Dad's other sister - How I loved my Aunt Hazel! She was like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting and always smelled of fresh baked bread and lilacs. I adored her.

Uncle Leo - my Mom's brother in law - Leo Boname - a philosophical French Canadian who ran on his own time much to the chagrin of my Aunt Mayme. Uncle Leo had a rolling Frenchish brogue and smoked a pipe that smelled of cherries and tobacco. He loved telling stories and that made him a favorite of mine! If Danny Kaye and Albert Einstein had a love child it would Uncle Leo.

Uncle Buster and Uncle Bill - Actually, these two weren't my uncles at all. They were my cousins but they were so much closer in age to my parents that we just called them "uncle" all the time. Bus and Bill, brothers who loved life. Both served in the military. WWII - Bill over in Europe and Bus in the East. Bus was nearly killed when his ship was attacked. Thankfully, both came home and had families and friends and full lives.

Myrle Jane - Buster and Bill's sister - also a cousin to me. Myrle was a WAVE! She served in the Navy post war. My mom used to have a beautiful photo of her in her uniform. She looked so pretty in that photo!

There are more, many more, Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents that have passed on. But these are the ones that were special to me because I remember visiting with them and talking with them. The others, I never really knew. They either passed away long before I was born or we just never had the chance to meet in life. As I think of these ghosts from my past so many other memories come through. Not just the time spent with each of them but the trips we took as a family to get there, who was with us and how long we stayed and other things that happened while we were there. I used to love those family trips. Such a production to get there but so worth it once we were there.

Happy Memorial Day!

Meanderings on Memorial Day Weekend...

I would say I'm not big on sentiment but those who know me would say I was lying. I guess I'm not big on sentiment in the usual way. For instance, this weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Now I know the real meaning of this holiday is to remember all of those who have fought and given their lives for our freedom. But, it's also a time to remember those in our own families that have gone ahead.

I was out to St. George Cemetery yesterday. Strangely enough, not to pay my respects to my father who is buried there. I just don't believe he is still there. I mean, yes, his body is there under the ground but my Dad is not. He's all around me, in my thoughts, in who I am. I don't get those people who believe that last resting place is the place to go and "visit" their deceased loved ones. Anyway, I digress...

What fascinates me most about St. George Cemetery, or any cemetery for that matter, is the grave stones. I wonder who were these people, how did they live, who loved them, who did they love, what did they do, and, finally, how did they die? The dates on the stones make me think of these things. I'll see one man, born in 1881 and died 1971. He lived a long life and I wonder what life he had? And right next to him, a girl, born in 1882 and died 1884. Just two years old. Makes me wonder how she died. I get lost in trying to create the stories of the people buried there. Anyway, I took some pictures while I was there. So here they are...








Happy Memorial Day Everyone!