Memorial Day thoughts

I grew up with May 30 as the “official” Memorial Day, and it still is stuck in my mind. So the yearly change of the national celebration slips by me.
I was awed by the 600,000-plus poppies put on the national memorial, celebrating all those brave men and women who have given their lives in defense of our country. A poppy for every veteran. I would love to see it--in technicolor. And the veterans who served and had the luxury of returning from the wars were remembered and celebrated also. Their stories were inspiring.
I think of when my sister and I visited Normandy. We walked on Omaha Beach, stood with countless others and, silently and reverently, looked at the white crosses and gold Stars of David--perfectly aligned, a straight line whichever way you viewed them--and stood in the shadows of the beautiful memorial. The sacrifices each of those veterans made are now cemented in my memory.
We should celebrate them, honor them, remember them, as well as all of those who served, came home and took up their lives again. Changed, but humble, yet proud of their commitment to “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
Son No. 4 and I went across the Big Horns Saturday to attend a graduation party for a TR High School student. A full day--youngsters, teenagers, middle-aged and senior adults. A beautiful day, held at the honoree’s grandparent’s home right at the foot of the Big Horns, Tongue River running through it, bubbling but a bit high, and a lush green wherever you looked.
It’s fun to see a mixture of young and old. The laughter, the nonsense, watching the interactions. I met some new people who became friends during the afternoon. There was sunshine, no wind, a brief few splatters of rain, but not a deluge that left you running for cover.
It was Christine McMillan who first brought home to me that the eastern side of the Big Horns were the “fruited plains” and the western side, the prairies (or desert). That sticks in my mind, and while the difference is not so evident in early spring, in fact it is hard to tell which side is which for a couple of weeks. Then, after a couple of hot weeks, it’s evident. But each side has its beauty.
The garden is completely planted, thanks to a giant effort from Son No. 4, Mary, Wyatt and Madison. Peas are up, few potatoes sprouting--I just wish the veggies grew as fast as the weeds!
Next “official” holiday is the Fourth of July. Since that is a Thursday, it might be a “one-off.”
Besides, they say the Fourth of July is the start of the end of summer. I just want to enjoy basking in the sun.
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, and let’s remember those who have fallen, those whose returned but with lives inalterably changed and those who are still entering the military because of love of country.
God bless them one and all.