Memorial Day

I looked around for a great quote to steal and share on my Facebook page for Memorial Day. I found myself suddenly caught up in remembering, and thinking about what Memorial Day means - to me.

Some people might think that children only remember the picnics and the flags, and while there were plenty of picnics and flags when I was a child, what I remember most are the trips to the Wilbur Cemetery. I remember finding the crooked tree, knowing that was where my grandparents, Herman and Elida Hagen were buried, as well as their parents, my great-grandparents. Sometimes my mom ordered flowers from the flower shop and other times we just raided the yard of lilacs and peonies to place on the graves of our loved ones. Each year it seemed we visited more graves than the year before.  I didn't really remember the people we honored then - because I never knew them. Even though they died long before I was born, I know they influenced my life through my mother and my aunts and uncles. They had to have been the  most wonderful people! As the years passed I learned what it really meant, as I was placing flowers on the gravesites of people I did know.

On Memorial Day I always remember my brother Brad, my nephew Aaron and of course, Dad. I think of all the people who have died and what they meant to me. Even though they are not physically here, they have never left my life and are with me every day. I see them, at times, in my own face as I catch myself in the mirror, and see a familiar smile that is more than just my own.

This year I think especially of those who I have lost more recently. In just the past 10 months I have lost my Uncle Bud, my Aunt Nadene and my Aunt Karen. Each of them was special, each will be remembered today by so many others.

Also, in September Norm passed away. I know this is the greatest loss my children have ever had to endure. I hope they can feel his presence in their lives in a positive way - just as I find my own dad in little things I experience each day. I think of Norm today, and remember his life and the goodness of his heart. 

I remember parades and flags and poppies. I know that Memorial Day was established to honor "all Americans who died in military service." I do honor them. I appreciate the sacrifices made and I know that on this gigantic scale Memorial Day is important.
No less important is what Memorial Day means to each of us as individuals.