Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! I know I said that June is going to be my AHA month, but I figured what's one extra day, really? And it's Memorial Day, at that, so there is plenty to be appreciative of!

I took my youngest son to the cemetery this afternoon. He's not quite two, so he had a good time trying to step on all the small markers and poking at the flags that were near many of the graves. (And I apologized profusely to the markers' and flags' owners.) It was a meaningful visit for me. My great-grandmother Hart (whom we called GG), great-grandfather Hart (who died when I was two), and my great-uncle Addison Hart are all buried there. Grampa and Addison both served in the Army. Addison was the oldest of three Hart brothers, all of whom served in the military, and was lost over Germany during WWII. I never met Addison, but I've seen a few pictures, and the youngest of the three brothers, my Great-Uncle David, is still alive and has told me some family stories.

So what's all this have to do with AHA? Well, I guess, like so many others, I'm very appreciative to have family members who have served the United States. I'm happy most of them returned, and I accept the loss of those who didn't. I know that I would not willingly join the military (call it selfish, chicken, whatever... I wouldn't have it in me to be able to serve), so I'm very thankful that there are others who do take on that responsibility. I felt that I needed to go visit those three graves today, and although my son is too young to understand why we were there, I was happy to "introduce" him to his ancestors.

Thank you to my family members and all the others who have helped protect the United States. I love you! AHA