Memorial Day weekend

 

beautiful graphic from Little Birdie Blessings

 

 I hope that all of you have enjoyed a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, even though it may have rained much of the time as it did here in New Hampshire.

However we celebrated, I hope that each of us took some time to remember those who have given their lives that we might live in freedom, and that we were able to convey to the children in our lives just what this holiday is really all about.  I trust that each of us also took some time to pray for those brave men and women who are currently serving our country, some in very hard and dangerous places.  We owe them much gratitude for their service to America.

Our own weekend was wonderful.  Friday morning, our dear young friends Sam and Jennifer,  along with their boys, joined us for brunch.  This was quite an unexpected treat.  Jennifer, who is planning a home birth and is very close to delivery, needed to have an ultrasound, and it ended up being at the hospital in our town.  What could work out better than for them to join us for brunch afterward?  We made two different varieties of Sheet Pan Pancakes, and served them with maple syrup, berry sauce, fruit salad, and bacon.

 Saturday morning,  Mr. T took part in the weekly flag wave along with other local patriots.  In the afternoon, he took his 95-year-old mom to visit two local cemeteries and place flowers on the graves of family members.

 Sunday was, of course, church, with each of us teaching Sunday School and enjoying a blessed day with God's people -- a privilege we don't take for granted as much as we might have prior to the "pandemic".

And then Monday was a blessed time with family and friends as we hosted a hot dog roast at our little cottage.  The photo below is from last year, but things looked much the same.

 

Others contributed food as well and we had quite a feast with baked beans, salads, chips, deviled eggs, and then strawberry-rhubarb pie and, later, s'mores to round out the day.  It is a joy and blessing to us to watch our little camp coming to life again -- in truth, more lively than I ever remember it being.  With our friend Cyndy's guitar, and granddaughter Julia's violin, we enjoyed glorious music together, singing the marvelous truths of God's Word.

I have shared this quote before.  Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said,

 "Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." 

This seems as if it has never been more true.   The men and women who gave up so much, and in many cases, their very lives, for the cause of freedom, are such an inspiration,  and we owe them much.  I have been reading Tom Brokaw's book The Greatest Generation Speaks, and it has been such a challenge to be reminded of all that so many young people gave up during World War ll.

We should never take our freedom for granted, though many have, and right at this moment in time it feels as if we have never been closer to losing those freedoms.  Let's not ever forget that people paid for our liberty with their lives.  This way of life that we have so long enjoyed -- this privilege of living "a quiet and peaceable life" -- is due to their sacrifice and God's grace.   Let's be sure that we are showing our appreciation to our veterans,  thanking God for the freedoms we still enjoy, exercising the liberties that remain, and praying faithfully for our nation and leaders.

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope that all of you have been enjoying a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, even though it surely looks a little different this year.  In some states we may be restricted as to how large our get-togethers may be, so our enjoyment of the holiday with family and friends will not be quite the same.  In many places parades may be cancelled.   Hopefully we can manage a picnic, a small cookout, or a trip to the cemetery sometime before day's end.

Whatever we do, let's be sure we take some time to remember those who have given their lives that we might live in freedom.  If we will be with young children or grandchildren, let's be sure to try and convey to them just what this holiday is really all about.  And let's take a moment, too, to pray for those brave men and women who are currently serving our country, some in very hard and dangerous places.  We owe them much gratitude for their service to America.

Today let's be sure we are also praying for those on the front lines of this pandemic, and for the families of those who have died during it -- for many are suffering today and this is exacerbated by the sadness of not being able to be with the dying or even to properly grieve the loss.  We must pray for wisdom for our leaders and for courage to do the right thing.  Let us praise God, too, that the loss of life has not been as great as originally predicted.  Let's remember that neither we, nor our leaders, nor even the front line workers, have somehow kept this from being worse.  It is God and God only who is the Giver and Preserver of life.

I have shared this quote before.  Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said,

 "Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." 

This seems as if it has never been more true.   The men and women who gave up so much, and in many cases, their very lives, for the cause of freedom, are such an inspiration,  and we owe them much.  We should never take our freedom for granted, though many have, and right at this moment in time it feels as if we have never been closer to losing those freedoms.  Let's not ever forget that people paid for our liberty with their lives.  This way of life that we have so long enjoyed -- this privilege of living "a quiet and peaceable life" -- is due to their sacrifice and God's grace.   Let's be sure that we are showing our appreciation to our veterans,  thanking God for the freedoms we still enjoy, exercising the liberties that remain, and praying faithfully for our nation and leaders.

Memorial Day

Lovely photo by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

  I really couldn't let the day go by without speaking just a word about Memorial Day, and I do hope that all of you have been enjoying a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  As we enjoy family, friends, cookouts, parades, picnics, and more, let's be sure we take some time to remember those who have given their lives that we might live in freedom.  If we will be with young children or grandchildren, let's be sure to try and convey to them just what this holiday is really all about.  And let's take a moment, too, to pray for those brave men and women who are currently serving our country, some in very hard and dangerous places.  We owe them much gratitude for their service to America.

Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said,  "Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." 

This seems as if it has never been more true.   The men and women who gave up so much, and in many cases, their very lives, for the cause of freedom, are such an inspiration,  and we owe them much.  We should never take our freedom for granted, though many do.  Let's be sure we are showing our appreciation to our veterans, thanking God for the freedoms we enjoy, and praying faithfully for our nation.

Memorial Day

Delightful graphic from Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

Mr. T and I would like to wish all of you a very blessed and meaningful Memorial Day.  Celebrated on the last Monday in May, this is a day to honor all who have died in service to our country.  Our Sunday newspaper yesterday showed an editorial cartoon depicting the tomb of the unknowns and a phrase something like this: "We don't know them all ... but we owe them all."  So very, very true.  This way of life that we enjoy ... this privilege of living "a quiet and peaceable life" ... is due to their sacrifice.

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.  This morning, Mr. T and I took a hanging plant and a shepherd's hook to place at the grave site of my parents and siblings.  There was a lot of coming and going at the cemetery today.  In fact, heading out toward the gate, we met my aunt and uncle coming in.

Later today, we will be enjoying a cookout with our daughter and family.  I'm bringing a roasted sweet potato salad and a strawberry rhubarb pie.

We hope that you've been enjoying the day with your family and friends, with parades, picnics, cookouts, or other activities, but that you'll 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. 

May you celebrate a meaningful Memorial Day!

 Today our country is celebrating Memorial Day.  The lovely vintage graphic above is generously shared by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings.

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. 

This lovely photo is also by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings.

Today, a particular man who served his country in World War II is very much on my heart and mind.  Although he did not die in the service of his country (so "his" holiday would actually be Veteran's Day) he did sacrifice much in the course of the years he served.

This past Friday, my wonderful dad went to be with his Lord and Savior quite unexpectedly.  His truly was the greatest generation, which sounds trite but, as our funeral director commented when we met with him on Saturday, it is actually a complete understatement.  I'm so thankful to have had a godly man of such sterling character in my life, and particularly blessed to have had him as my dad.

Happy Memorial Day

Today I'm wishing a meaningful Memorial Day to all.  I trust that many of my readers and friends are enjoying, or have enjoyed, a wonderful weekend with family and/or friends.  I know that some are sorrowing today, and my heart goes out to those friends who are overwhelmed with grief and sadness. 

This morning I was reading a post from my blog friend Barbara H. who blogs at Stray Thoughts. She used a graphic which pointed out the meanings of Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, and Armed Forces Day.  I am often confused about these holidays, so I appreciated her sharing the information.  Memorial Day honors those who died in service to our nation.  Veteran's Day honors the living who have served in our armed forces.  And Armed Forces Day honors those who are currently serving in the military.

Barbara also included a quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt, who noted: "Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them."  This idea is something that has been on my heart often as I care for my elderly dad, a World War II veteran.  The men and women who gave up so much, and in many cases, their very lives, for the cause of freedom, are such an inspiration,  and we owe them much.  We should never take our freedom for granted, though many do.  Let's be sure we are showing our appreciation to our veterans, thanking God for the freedoms we enjoy, and praying faithfully for our nation.

Happy Memorial Day!

Image courtesy Vintage Holiday Crafts.com

I hope that all of you have been enjoying a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  As we enjoy family, friends, cookouts, parades, picnics, and more, let's be sure we take some time to remember those who have given their lives that we might live in freedom.  And let's take a moment, too, to pray for those brave men and women who are currently serving our country, some in very hard and dangerous places.  We owe them much gratitude for their service to America.

Enjoy your day -- but don't forget to remember!

Memorial Day

Image from VintageHolidayCrafts.com

I would like to wish all of my readers a blessed Memorial Day.  For many, it is a long weekend and a time of enjoying friends, family and the outdoors.  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 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 fought in America's wars.  Here in New England, 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.  Mr. T and I will probably be doing just that later on,

So enjoy the day with your family and friends, with parades, picnics, cookouts, or whatever you may be doing, but take a moment sometime today, and remember the brave men and women who gave their all so that we could be free.  And don't forget to pray for those equally brave men and women who are serving our country in difficult places right now. 

Memorial Day

"O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!"
~Katharine Lee Bates