Memorial Day

This year we went to Coon Rapids for Memorial Day to visit Keith's parents. They live on an acreage not far from their small, quaint country church. You know the type..a little white church with about 20 pews and a tall steeple that can be seen from quite a distance. Down the road from their house is a small country cemetery. The older section is on the south side of the gravel road, and the newer section is on the north side of the road.

Within the last few years, Jared has taken a real interest in going with Grandma to visit the "grave yard." The two of them have been there numerous times and she has told him all the stories that she knows. I've gone with them on occasion, and I've heard the stories now, too. Jared knows about the guy that fell off of the church roof when it was icy. He knows about the man that was kicked in the head by a horse, and the young man that was a friend of Keith and his brother that left a party and got lost on a cold night and froze to death. Jared even knows about the little boy that was backed over by his dad when he was 3 and then a number of years later, the dad shot and killed the mother before killing himself. Most importantly, Jared knows where his Great-Grandparents are as well as the Great-Greats and the Great-Great-Greats. And he knows their stories, too.

Keith doesn't usually go to the cemetery when we are there, but this time Jared asked him to go along. They walked through it hand-in-hand just talking and looking. Jared knew the things to show him, and the stories that went along with it.

After Jared's first trip to the cemetery, we talked about how people bring flowers and put them on the graves. He thought that sounded like something he wanted to do. So now, every year before Memorial Day I buy some flowers to take. They aren't anything special, but Jared thinks they're perfect! I really love that this is something he enjoys because I sort of feel like it is a lost art.

This is the stone for Keith's grandparents. Keith's Grandpa died when Keith was young. Grandma Anderson died when Cale was just 6 months old. She was such a happy and sweet (and a little feisty!) woman. Breaks my heart that my kids never knew her, but I can still see her watching Cale and just giggling at him. Keith and I still remember things about her that make us laugh. Jared had flowers to bring to her.

This stone is where Keith's Uncle Elwin is buried. While growing up, their family and Keith's family were very close. Keith's cousin, Paul, stays in close contact with us so that is how Jared relates to Elwin. He died while I was pregnant with Cale. He was such a kind and funny man and Keith and I still talk about how much we miss him. I think that he would get such a kick out of my boys since he was the Dad to 3 boys of his own. Jared always makes sure that he has flowers to take to "Paul's Dad."

And finally, I would like to take this time to say THANK YOU to my Dad who served with the Army in Germany during the Korean War, to Keith's Dad who also served with the Army, and also, my brother, Todd, who served in the Air Force for a time in the late 80's.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!