"DECORATION DAY MEMORIES"

(c) an essay by Diane Rawls



I am so happy today! I am swinging to the top of the tree branches of the big elm at Pompie’s house. I can see the banks of beautiful Iris blooming, hundreds of them and I can smell the fragrance of the lilacs from the side yard..........this is bliss!!

School is out for the year and Uncle Mony picked me up in his Packard and whisked me away for the summer! First stop was at their business where Pompie was waiting for me!! It was so wonderful to see her again. I knew she had plans for us to have a great summer together.

Soon we closed the store and headed for their home in the country.

What a lovely home to go home to.........beautiful English Tudor on ten acres surrounded by pine trees and a big fruit orchard with lots of places to roam. It was a haven for me to come to every summer as a child. At the beginning of every summer together we stopped down the road for homegrown strawberries and tomato plants for our garden we would start this weekend.

As I was swinging high above the flowers in the yard I knew we would be going to the cemetery tomorrow and I was day dreaming of all the times when we celebrated those that have gone on before us. I learned so much about my deceased relatives through my aunt's stories. Oh, how I wished I could have known my great-grandparents......and others. I have old photos of all of the families and wished I could go back in time. All my Aunt Pompie’s brothers served in the World War I and other relatives in all the other wars. They lost so many friends to those wars.

Pompie made a forever-lasting impression on me to honor those who sacrificed their lives and loved ones for our freedom. She was the most patriotic person I ever knew and loved her so much for teaching me to honor our veterans.

The next morning after a scrumptious breakfast of French Toast and fresh strawberries, my aunt handed me my gardening gloves and large basket and said to fill it with the prettiest flowers I could find on their ten acres! What a pleasant chore! Rex, their big German Shepherd went with me to protect me from the snakes and critters. He was also a ‘veteran’ as he served in the Canine Corp in WWII in Germany. He was my best friend during the summer months.
After filling the basket to overflowing we sat in the back yard and arranged the fragrant lilacs, purple and yellow Iris and wild flowers into several bouquets and tied with twine and put in big Mason jars of water to keep them fresh.

I went in the house to freshen up and change into my new sun suit. This year my aunt had made me one with strawberries and blueberries on white background. She was a talented seamstress and made me the most beautiful clothes! She let me be a Tomboy at home but always a ‘little lady’ when we went out! Loved growing up in the 50's!!

Soon we were off to the cemetery to decorate the graves of our loved ones. We also took little American flags for those that served in the Armed Forces. What a beautiful and peaceful place with huge old trees and gentle hills. Many people were there placing flowers on graves and it soon began to look like a garden in Heaven.

These times are treasured memories of mine and so glad my aunt had the insight to know how important the lessons she taught me would be forever lasting.

“Decoration Day” was the beginning of meaningful and loving summers spent with my aunt and uncle. They were my mentors in life and the stronghold of my upbringing!

I will be at a cemetery on Memorial Day decorating graves of loved one and friends.......as should we all! Fifty years later I have lost my aunts, uncles, grandparents and parents and the cycle of life continues. I have taught my daughters the same lessons my Aunt Pompie passed on to me and now it is their turn to do the same for their children. My two grandchildren attended their first funeral this spring when their Daddy’s Grandmother passed away. I was so proud of my daughter for instilling the peace and understanding of her passing to them.

May God smile down upon us as we journey through this life loving, honoring and remembering those who have gone on before us.


Diane

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