Memorial Day

Have you every thought of why we celebrate Memorial Day? 

I know men and women that have served in the Armed Forces, but none that died in their service.

My 4 times grandfather, Gideon Bentley, was a "minute man" in the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783). He was the last Revolutionary war hero living. He died in 1858 at the age of 108.

My father-in-law fought in World War II (1939 - 1945). He was the only soldier that survived a bomb attack on his bunker. A fellow soldier fell across his body on impact and it saved his life. 

My father fought in the Korean War (1950 -1953). He served in the 6th Army Medical Depot and left us a history of his war experiences. War is not a pretty picture.

Several uncles served in the Vietnam War (1955 - 1975) and returned home safely.

We were thankful that the Selective Service ended just weeks before my brother and soon-to-be husband turned 19 years old. 

By the time my now current husband enrolled in the ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Course) at USU (Utah State University) in 1989, we were enjoying a relative amount of peace. But 9 -11 came and it all changed. As an officer in the Reserves, his company was called up and deployed for 30 months state side. Iraq for 18 months, and Afghanistan for 18 months. He saw and experienced plenty and has really never shared much about it. I am grateful for his service, and am more grateful for his safe return home after each deployment. He is retired now and that gives me peace.

Dave and I have stood in reverence for the men and women who fought valiantly for freedom's sake and lost their lives doing so. Visiting Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and the American Cemetery at Normandy leaves you with a deep sense of reverence and respect for those who paid the price of freedom. The atmosphere is overwhelmingly peaceful, restful, and quiet. Each individual grave is given great care. There is beauty in every direction. You feel like you are standing on hallowed ground. 

Arlington National Cemetery - Virginia USA

American Cemetery - Omaha Beach at Normandy

War days will never be truly behind us, but this weekend we will relax in peace and safety with the assurance that there are brave men and women around the world watching over us and protecting our freedoms.

I will sit in my garden and enjoy all the lovely flowers that surround me. 

I will have a wonderful visit with my children. We will eat food. Lots of it. We will laugh and reminisce about days gone by. We will make plans for future outings.

I will watch my grandchildren run in the grass, catch butterflies, splash their feet in the waterfall, and play to their heart's content.

I will cut beautiful peonies and daisies from my garden and lovingly arrange them in containers to place on my parents graves, my daughter's grave, and my son's grave. 

I will offer a silent prayer, with gratitude in my heart, for being able to live in this great country where we enjoy the freedoms we do. I will not take them for granted, and I will remember those who gave all for me to have them.

I will reverently bow my head at my loved ones resting spot and thank God above for the great blessing of having had them in my life. I will honor and cherish their memories and live worthy to be reunited with them once again. 

Memorial Day is not only a time to honor our loved ones who have passed beyond the veil, it is a wonderful time to reflect on the bounteous blessings that we receive everyday at the Lord's hand. My basket is overflowing with both gratitude and blessings!

Inspired by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

May is for Lilacs

A year ago in May the lilacs were blooming. Just like they are this year. You can count on them to make their entrance this time every year. Purple lilacs are my favorite May flower for several reasons.

I have sweet remembrances of home and mother and lilacs. We had a lilac bush in the corner of our front yard that would bloom every year just in time for Memorial Day. I watched, year after year, mother cut the thin branches of white and purple lilacs and fill metal coffee cans to the brim... making beautiful arrangements. The sweet fragrance of lilac floated on the Spring air, bringing a sense of awareness to the importance of their existence. They not only brought beauty to our home as they set in a vase on the dining room table, but they played a much greater role... that of sweet remembrances.

Every Memorial Day our family went to the Price City Cemetery, filled the cans of lilacs with water, and lovingly placed them at the headstones of loved ones who had passed away. My grandparents... mother's mom and dad, were the ones I remember spending the most time at.

I knew that placing lilacs on their graves was a special occasion. It was one of reverence and remembrance, to reflect on cherished memories, and to make a silent tribute of love and gratitude in the role they played in our lives. 

That tradition has so much more meaning in my life since the days of my youth. I have come to know and appreciate, so much more, what it means to tenderly place lilacs on my loved one's graves.

I have since buried both my parents and a daughter and a son. I take them buckets of lilacs to place on their graves every Memorial Day... with gratitude in my heart for having the blessing of having them in my life and being able to love them and be loved back.

My daughter, Shaniel, loved the color purple. She loved flowers and planted a variety of colorful flowers in her beds and garden. She started most of her plants from seed and placed the paper cups in a large south facing window in her kitchen. She had a "green thumb." 

Last year I placed lilacs on Shaniel's grave and wrote this poem. This year I will do the same thing. Because I love her! Because of the remembrances of what this special occasion means. It is love, respect, gratitude, and sweet reflections and remembrances of a daughter lost too soon.

The cup in the vase was far too

 small. 

It would take an arm full of

 lilacs... and a thousand

 more! 

To place by your side... my angel,

 my love.

I'll visit you oft until we meet

 again, 

Bringing beautiful fresh lilacs to

 remind me of you.

My son, Steven, loved starting plants and flowers from seed and watching them grow in his greenhouse. He especially loved roses and bleeding hearts. His yard was a welcome refuge for birds of all kinds. A bird house could be spotted in a tree, on a fence, or tucked in an unknown hiding place. He had a tender heart for plants, animals, and all God's creations. My heart is so happy when I think of my son and the joy he had playing in dirt.

Since the passing of my children, I have created a special "memorial garden" in my yard. I've been working on it for a few years, since Shaniel's death. The garden is centered around a room size pergola.The Wisteria is in its 3rd year and is coming along nicely. The other plants were put in this Spring. Lilacs, Peonies, burning bush, and small shrubs. 
I found the perfect statues for the garden that make my heart so happy. I can sit in my lovely garden and reflect on all the happy memories of my children and watch my grandchildren play.

I'm still waiting on Sweet Autumn Clematis to plant at the front beams of the pergola extension, the bleeding heart, and a wonderfully colorful and whimsy birdhouse. When the plants are mature it's going to be a favorite hideaway for all members of the family... young and old. Can't wait!

May is for lilacs, cherished remembrances and a peaceful heart.

Together again... 

Shaniel - 1980 - 2013

Steven - 1983 - 2015

Inspired by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

Mother

In honor of Mother's Day, I picked a quote I love and found the perfect picture to go with it. I love watching my daughters tenderly love their babies. This precious baby boy is the last one to join our family.