Memorial Day Commemoration 2008 (Photo credit: davidyuweb)
Reflections
We can’t go back. We can only go forward. We can’t relive what might have been.
For more than forty years, Steve and I have honored those who have gone before us by placing flowers on their graves on Memorial Day. When we placed the flowers I would do a mental biography of the person and how important they were to the world. It was a family affair we shared with Steve’s parents.
This year for a variety of reasons, we were unable to place flowers on the graves before Memorial Day. We will go in June, but we will have missed the big event and I am sad.
My best friend died. Her ashes are scattered over the mountains she loved so well. On Memorial Day, does one scatter flowers over the mountain?
My parents are buried an eight hour drive from where I live. I used to pay a cousin to place flowers on their grave, until I learned he pocketed most of the money and did not do them honor.
This year I am starting a new tradition. I will make cup cakes. On top of each one I will place the name of a person who has gone before. They will be honored. This can be a tradition that I can pass on to my grandchildren without asking them to travel great distances to lay flowers at the base of a stone. Remembering people should be a happy occasion.
OR
We could just take five minutes and look at pictures of the people we want to honor.
Happy Memorial Day
Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try
Diane Brogan