Remembrance and Respect
Memorial Day here in the USA. At least it’s the current designated date for it. All the time I was growing up, it was May 31st. No matter what day of the week that fell on, May 31st was Memorial Day. We cut flowers from our garden, and from my grandmother’s garden, put them in buckets of water, and drove to the cemetery. We tidied up the headstones, left fresh flowers in containers that were built into the headstones, or left flowers in emptied coffee or soup cans. It was the way you did things. And it was what you did on that day. We often grilled out later in the day, but the main focus was on remembrance.
Nowadays I have more family members in cemeteries, but rarely the opportunity to show them this simple act of respect. It bothers my conscience, even though I also believe wholeheartedly that there are no spirits in the plots of earth where bodies were laid to rest. I make a point to remember these people, these family and friends who are no longer walking the face of this planet. I send them positive thoughts whenever reminded of them, regardless of what day of the year it is.
So, remember them all, with love and respect, and if you are able, with the small gift of your time and a flower.
valleybrown 