Today Jim was wondering about the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day--so he did a little research. He learned that Memorial Day honors all those who died while serving our country, Veterans Day honors all those who have served the country in uniform. But, he also learned that it began as Decoration Day--when families went to the cemetery to clean and decorate the burial site of those who died in service of the country--and when the Unknown Soldier is honored. Which reminded me of our trips to the cemetery in Jefferson to weed and trim our family plot there. It was a happy event--a family gathering where stories were shared and maybe even a picnic shared. I'm wondering if Catherine or Pam might also remember those trips? I don't know when they occurred with us present since our summer trips were after school was out during the years Mother was teaching. I particularly remember weeding the little plot.
Two other Jefferson cemetery memories:
First, what a wonderful family gathering we had when mother's children and grandchildren gathered in Jefferson with Aunt Pud's family for the burial of Mother's ashes. Wayne did such a lovely service at the grave site for us. (The little church where the mass was said for her has since burned down and been rebuilt.) I remember walking through the town with Aunt Pud pointing out memorable sites--I have a picture of some of the family gathered in front of the House of Four Seasons. That was a wonderful Zachry family time. Wish I had pictures from that trip on this computer so I could include them--with a few from the cemetery!
The second is a trip Jim and I made to Jefferson before we were married. We walked to Little Brother Jimmie's house. He was mowing the yard with a hand mower. He had no idea who we were--surprised when I walked up and gave him a big kiss, then introduced ourselves! We spent the day visiting with him. He told tales of our family history and that of Jefferson. We made TWO trips to the cemetery to illustrate some points in his tales! What fun. He was the sweetest man!
Happy Memorial Day!
I printed the directions and decided to post that I tried it and was successful-that was plan A! However, I am signed in and do not see View Blog anywhere.
ReplyDeleteA delayed response to Gay's account. My strongest memory of the visits to the cemetery in Jefferson was the smell of dead marigolds. To this day a dead marigold evokes that place and those memories. Surprising, really, how many dead marigolds one encounters in the course of a summer...
ReplyDeleteMy scent memory of the cemetery is of the gardenias--little bushes covered in the white, sweet smelling flowers. Isn't memory strange--to each his own, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteYes, gardenias. Also magnolias. Not in the cemetery, but in the front of the house, though I suppose the cemetery had some also. Big, sturdy-looking blossoms, but they turned brown at the least little touch. Didn't they?
ReplyDeleteYes, both gardenias and magnolias bruse when touched.
ReplyDeleteI do want to suggest your offer your comments as POSTS instead of comments to this post from last May! Took me a while to find it after I got an email alerting me to it. Lost in comments sections!