We enjoyed a delicious cookout with our daughter, son-in-law and family on Saturday evening and that was our basic Memorial Day observance, since Mr. T is working today.
From what I have read of history, this day got its start after the Civil War in April 1866 when a small group of young women decorated the graves of their lost loved ones at a cemetery near Columbus, Mississippi. Both Union and Confederate soldiers who died at the Battle of Shiloh are buried here, and these young women, after tending the graves of the Confederate soldiers, walked over and scattered magnolia blossoms on the Union graves as well.
News of their compassionate act spread quickly -- imagine that! Without radio, television, the internet, or social media! -- and soon Decoration Day, as it was then called, became an important American holiday. Today, Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday in May, is a day to honor all who have died in service to our country. Here in New Hampshire, we often take some time on this day to visit our cemeteries, taking plants or silk flowers, or even a jar of lilacs, to decorate the graves of our loved ones.
So enjoy the day with your family and friends, with parades, picnics, cookouts, or whatever other activities you may have planned, but take a moment sometime today, and remember the brave men and women who gave their all so that we could be free. If you have young children, take time to remind them of what this holiday is really all about. And don't forget to pray for those equally brave men and women who are serving our country in difficult places right now.
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| This lovely photo is also by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings. |
My condolences and love to you. Your father was a member of the greatest generation. I don't know that they make them like his anymore. In fact, I know that they do not. It takes a certain culture to raise up such a group as they were. Your dad (what a handsome young man with a winning smile) lived a wonderful, godly life here and carries on in his new home in Glory. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteA blessed Memorial Day to you. As for the dead and the living...I am certain that many of the living struggled to carry on with the memories of very challenging times. Our dads are no less heros for having lived through it. 🙂🇺🇸
Thank you, Vee. You're right, it does take a certain culture to raise up a group such as those of the greatest generation. My dad will indeed be missed (as I know yours will be), especially by his grandchildren and some of his great-grandchildren. Others are too young to remember him. He has another great-grandchild due in August.
DeleteVery true about many of the living struggling to carry on while still having memories of very challenging times. I know that was true of my dad. It takes a certain heroism to do as our dads did and carry on to build a life for themselves and their families, when it would have been easy to bog down in despair and pessimism.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts today.
Mrs T, I am so sorry for the passing of your dear dad. What a blessed comfort in knowing that he is completely well and gloriously happy in the presence.of our Lord! Also of great comfort and cheer is knowing that we will all be one day soon reunited in glory with him! Hugs and prayers to you during this time of sorrow.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brenda, for the hugs, kind words, and especially for the prayers. They will be needed greatly in the days ahead.
DeleteAnd you are right -- there's a blessed comfort indeed in knowing that he is completely well, free of the limitations of old age and failing memory, reunited with his Lord and the many loved ones who have gone on before. And that blessed hope that we will see him again, one day soon. Thanks so much for your kind and caring words today.
I am so sorry that you lost your dad. He sounds like a wonderful Christian man. My own father's 100th birthday was today, although he is no longer with us. I miss him every day. Blessings to you as you grieve the loss of you father. xo
ReplyDeleteHe was indeed a wonderful Christian man, Judy. He was a very wise man and also had an incredible sense of humor, which stood him in good stead through his time in the nursing home. Everyone there truly appreciated his sense of humor and his gentlemanly ways.
DeleteThanks for your kind words and thoughts. Prayer will be helpful too, in the coming weeks ...
Prayers for all of you Mrs T....and you are right, that caliber of men is hard to find in this day and age. The greatest generation saved us from the mad man, Hitler. Hugs from Alabama.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Arlene, for the prayers and for the hugs. And for your kind and thoughtful words. He was an amazing man and will be missed by many.
DeleteSo sorry for your lost.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Marie!
DeleteOh Mrs. T, I am sorry to hear of your loss. I will be praying for you, because truly at any age it is hard to lose those we love. He was part of the greatest generation. My dad served in Korea and my husband's dad was a WWII vet. They were truly men!
ReplyDeleteSo true, Sandy. They were truly men, and I don't think we will see their like again. We are so blessed to have had these men for our examples.
DeleteI do appreciate your prayers, so much. The days ahead are going to be challenging. So much to sort out and figure out. In my own strength I am not at all equal to the task!
You were blessed! Until you meet again in heaven!
ReplyDeleteI was indeed blessed, Cindy. And as you said, it is also a blessing to know that we will meet again in heaven!
DeleteOh my, Mrs. T., I'm so very sorry for the loss off your dear dad. Thank you for letting us know a little about him, by honoring him through your words. Love and God bless you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Kitty, for your kind and thoughtful words. I appreciate your friendship and encouragement, and can definitely use prayer in the days and weeks ahead.
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