Celebrating Memorial Day 2022

I hope you had a nice Memorial Holiday.  Our family did.  We began the day by meeting at our son Steve's house at 11:00 a.m. to drive to Great Lakes National Cemetery together.  It's in Holly, MI, about 42 miles from our house.  It's where both of my parents are buried.  My dad was a World War II veteran, and even though he didn't die in combat it seemed like the perfect place to begin our day. 

The cemetery was very busy with people paying their respects to deceased military soldiers, veterans and loved ones.  It was a picture perfect day with a temperature of 90 degrees but there was a nice breeze so it didn't seem that hot.

Jeremy and family drove from Chelsea and met us there.  Lori's husband had to drive his daughter and family to the airport so they couldn't join us until the picnic at the park.  Looking over the thousands of tombstones of those who served our country, I was reminded that freedom isn't free and how indebted we are to the men and women who've served to preserve the freedoms we enjoy - some of them giving their lives.

~ My dad's tombstone ~

My mother's on the opposite side of my dad's.

There's a tradition to leave a penny on the tombstone of the veteran if you visited their grave, so we all left a penny.

We gathered around the grave and each one shared memories of my dad and mom and then Steve prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for their lives as well as the lives of everyone buried there. It was very touching. I could have shared many wonderful memories, but their greatest parental accomplishment was teaching me about Jesus and His gift of salvation, which has given me purpose and contentment in life. They left a great Christian legacy for their family to follow.  Steve reminded Brooke, Izzy, Landon and Ellie that it only takes one generation for a Christian heritage to die out, and for them to stive, with God's help, to keep it alive for those who follow.

A kind lady paying respects to another deceased soldier took a picture of our group.   

~ Steve, Me and Jeremy ~

I left giving a gentle pat to my parent's tombstone telling them bye for now, and I'd see them again someday in Heaven.

Then it was off to Indian Springs Metropark for a Memorial Day family picnic.  The park was about 20 miles from the cemetery in White Lake and was a beautiful park - a hidden gem actually.  We decided it should be an annual Memorial Day destination.  Lori and Dave arrived ahead of us and found a beautiful spot with covered picnic tables very close to the 'splash pad' for the kids.  

The first thing on the agenda was to get the food on the table.  Not knowing if we'd have access to grills I prepared ready to eat food:  bar-be-qued chicken for pulled chicken sandwiches and bean bake [a yummy recipe from a deceased friend that all the guys loved - even those who don't like baked beans.  It was made with bacon, ground beef, and three kinds of beans, pork n beans, pinto, and white kidney beans.]  Jeremy requested corn on the cob, so I boiled it at home, wrapped in in tinfoil and a towel and transported it in a cooler.  It was still very hot when we ate.  I also made a pasta salad, a three-bean marinated salad, and slab apple pie [made in a sheet pan].  Lori brought yummy fresh fruit, Samantha brought munchies [chips, popcorn, etc.] and Sharon brought drinks. Nobody went away hungry!

[Lori and Me]

[Steve Sharon and Brooke]

[Jeremy and Samantha]

[Dave and Lori]

[Pa and Ma 😊]

I regret not getting a picture of John, Tiffany and the girls.  When I thought of it, it was right before everyone was ready to leave and the girls were so tired from their big day that it just wasn't a good time for picture taking.  I did manage to get a picture of Juliette though.

~ Sam and Ellie ~

~ The guys playing Corn Hole ~

[Dave and Jeremy]

[Landon and Papa]

All the gals at the 'Splash Pad'

Brooke and Izzy

The 'Splash Pad'

The end of a perfect day!  How did you celebrate?

Yesterday was National Scone Day, but I'll have to celebrate at a later time since no scones were on yesterday's menu - nor included in my weight loss regimen.  Did you eat a scone?  If so, what kind?