Memorial Day Thoughts

For most people, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. For me, the weekend has always been one of remembrance not only for those who serve our nation, but also of deceased family and friends. While they are gone, I still think of them. And even though some of them have been gone for years, I still can see them in my mind; I can still hear their voices; I still remember spending time with them.

The first person I remember losing that I loved was my Great Grandmother. She was 90 years old when she died, but was still a strong presence in all our lives. She came over with her family from Germany in the 1870's when she was 9 years old...obviously that was on the boat..... They came to southwest Kansas via railroad and homesteaded their farm. I cannot begin to phantom what that must have been like as 9 year old girl, speaking only German, to board a ship and spend the next few weeks on the ocean; to enter the Country through the big hall at Ellis Island already teaming with immigrants and all kinds of strange languages; and then to travel by train to an unknown land days away. What she must have thought as they got off the train and to begin a new life in a foreign land in so many ways. She died when I was 6 so I never really got the chance to learn about her trip and her experiences....only the lore past down.

While her death was the first one that I remembered, other family and friends are still alive in my mind:

• My mother's paternal grandparents....I remember going to see them every time we went to see her parents.
• My maternal grandparents.....I have so many wonderful memories of them.....too many to list here. I carry the honor of being named after my maternal grandfather....and it is a wonderful privilege.... One of my greatest joys was spending a couple weeks with them one summer. My grandmother was the person who started my letter writing spree way back in the day. We wrote each other somewhat regularly until she died. I realized after her death that those letters were probably more important to her than they were to me. Her death also ended my letter writing days.
  
• My paternal grandparents.....it was a joy to live next door to them. Their actions expressed so well how my siblings and I were so important in their lives. Whatever little trivial thing we were doing...in their mind it was the best thing since sliced bread. And even though I was awful, they loved to listen while I played the piano. I am so glad that my son had the privilege of knowing his great-grandfather, even if it were for just a few short years.
• Aunts and uncles, including great aunts and great uncles.....so many of them that I cannot begin to list them here.....but I remember them.
• Friends and classmates....each one special.
  

It was my paternal grandmother's death that made me realize how precious life is and how quickly those we love can leave us. It was her death that made me realize that we should never take for granted those people that we love. So to all those loved ones who are still in my life....both friends and family.....even though I don't tell you, I think of you every day and you are still important in my life.

Oh, and: Mom...Dad....I love you!