Happy Memorial Day

 Holidays are rough. I like this one because the office is closed and that means a paid day off. Ha ha

I know what the holiday really means. I have 2 brother-in-laws that served, and my own father was in the Army. 

My father taught me about Memorial Day and what it means. I have seen the faces of women whose husband or child, brother or sister never came back from their service. The faces of men who lost a son, or daughter or a father or buddy. 

My father would take me to the VFW and due his duties up there and I would sit a table in the back. It was dark and smokey and every so often on of the patrons would tell a story. Everyone listened. 

The sadness, the horror, I was young, but I understood what they were saying, how orders in the middle of the night suddenly turned into the last time you would see your tent mate. How days went by out on a mission and if everyone came back to post that was the true goal. The silence everyone would sit in during these stories. The respect. The sorrow. Thats outpouring of feelings and tears for someone the other people never met, but they could relate. 

I used to help my dad sell these little red flowers, Poppies. We would go to a bank or something like that and i would stand outside the table set up there and ask people to donate for a poppy. This silly little red flowery disc on a green wire, with a piece of paper saying The Men and Woman of the Veterans of Foreign Wars thanks you. I used to think I was really good at this job because daddy always wanted me to go. Turns out people are more likely to stop and listen to the little girl with pigtails and the American flag t shirt on then some old man. 

I didn't mind. It was for a good cause, and I got a happy meal out of this deal. Back then, that was a big deal. Back when the playgrounds were outside at Mcdonalds, and chicken nuggets came in styrofoam package. 

Every Memorial Day and Veterans Day i would do this with my dad, grandma & grandpa sometimes. And there are days i wish i still could. I miss them. 

 I never was in the service, but i respect all that have been and all those whose families were changed or impacted on the day and every day. Be thankful to those men and women out there. Be respectful for the lives that never came home and be grateful for battles they fight on your behalf.

This brings and end to today's episode of emotional baggage. Happy Memorial Day. 

Not really, but Truly yours

*Dixie*