I went to my Mom and Daddy's (yes I still call him Daddy) house today. I was only suppose to be to dropping off the swing I ordered her for Mothers Day. I stayed to put it together. Then my Mom and I decided that we should maybe scrub all the patio furniture, which turned into scrubbing the out door toys and finally power-washing the deck. After 5 hours of very strenuous work we were done. But I realized driving home that I got to spend and entire afternoon on this holiday weekend alone with her. We talked about all the plans for Monday, the food, who is coming and what toys the kids will want to play with. We never once mentioned what the day is all about.
Every year the Sunday before Memorial Day I have taken my Daddy to the cemetery to visit his Mom, Dad and Brother. My Uncle Joel died in Vietnam. He was only 21 years old. He was from what I hear a great writer and a wonderful man. He helped raise my Dad, Uncle and Aunt after their Mother passed early in their life. He then went on to serve our Country. He died for this Country.
We have a way of doing this special Sunday. I pick my Daddy up, we head to the same garden center we always have, buy some daisies (my favorite) head to the cemetery then head to the town spa in Stoughton to enjoy some pizza. He tells me stories of his family, most I have heard a thousand times before. We talk about how brave my Uncle was and how again he was a wonderful writer. It is a special weekend I enjoy and as I sit there and talk to my family that have passed I look at that little flag flapping so proudly in the ground next to his name, H. "Joel" Lindelof Vietnam Veteran and I feel proud, proud of all those that this day is for.
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Monday will come, I will head to my Mom and Daddy's house. Meet our family there and enjoy traditional hot dogs and burgers. We will have a few beers and a few laughs. Then before we know it back to the normal work life.
So come Monday when you are enjoying the same, take a minuet to say thank you for all that served this country so that you can enjoy a burger and dog.....
