A Day to Remember

Memorial Day, I believe, was originally declared a holiday so that we could honor those who had fought for our country. At some point it became a time when we could honor those people we loved who had passed away. As a child I remember trips to the cemetery to put flowers on the graves of people that were in my family, but many of whom I had never even met. It was a time to remember them and to honor them by decorating their graves.

Today, I wonder how many people even know that it is a day to remember and honor. It seems that it has become a day to shop. The newspaper is full of ads declaring Memorial Day sales. It has also become a day to grill out. There is an entire section in the paper about local butchers and cuts of meat for grilling as well as recipes for making all sorts of delicious grilled dinners.

For some it has become a time to get a three or four day weekend in at the lake. When I lived on Grand Lake, Memorial Day weekend was the official beginning of the “weekenders” who came to our lake and our town for the specific purpose of partying hard and leaving exhausted and sunburned. It sort of “kicked off” the season which goes until Labor Day in September.

I don’t think that any of these activities are bad. Some of them bring family and friends together and that is never a bad thing. But, I do wish that we could hold onto the tradition of honoring our loved ones who have passed as well as those who have served our country. If things continue as they are, I'm concerned that we may be only a generation or two away from completely forgetting what this day means.

Since my Mom passed away several years ago Memorial Day has been more significant to me. It makes me sad that I wasn’t there last year and won’t be there this year to put flowers on her grave. Last year I ordered flowers to be placed on her grave. This year, it warmed my heart when my brother called and asked if he could put flowers on her grave for me as well as for him. It brought tears to my eyes, but they were good tears. It is good for him to take this responsibility. Now we share this day, even if I’m not there because we are Connected as we remember our mother and honor her by placing flowers on her grave. I can rest knowing that she will have beautiful flowers that have been lovingly placed at her final resting place.

This is a day when Connections are extremely important. Connections with the people we love and care about that are still living. Connections with our relatives as we share the memories of the ones who have gone before us. Connections with our memories and Connections with those who have fought for our freedom. This day is a very important day, and I hope that in the middle of grilling or shopping or enjoying the lake that each of you will stop for a moment and just remember and allow yourselves to feel your Connections and honor the memories.