Karen and I walk the dogs every morning. When we are not throwing the ball for MMMa, our border collie or picking up after the creatures we have time to talk about stuff. Today we were discussing the significance of Memorial Day. Karen called it Decoration Day and remembered her childhood trips to Nephi and her grandmother selling her beautiful flowers in large tubs to brighten the gravesite of loved ones. Her recollection is that there were many varieties but peonies were her specialty. The peony flowers are perennials that come back every spring “to take your breath away”. I do not think this quote has any correlation to their graveside usage. The plants may live up to 100 years. It occurred to me we don’t call it Decoration Day today.
The practice of decorating soldiers graves with flowers is an ancient custom and graves were decorated in the Colonies before the official designation. Decoration Day is now observed every year on the last Monday in May. Originating in 1868 after the American Civil War, when the Grand Army of the Republic (an organization of Union veterans) established it as a date to decorate the graves of the Union war’s dead with flowers. By the 20th century, the Union and Confederate observations had merged to celebrate on one day. Memorial Day honors all Americans who died while in military service. In place of flowers at national cemeteries you often see American flags decorating the graves. I was reminded by Wikipedia that Memorial Day celebrates those brave women and men who lost their lives in our service. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.
Recent events in my family remind me it is wise to send flowers to those we love while they are with us. Words of comfort should not be undervalued or avoided. They are difficult to get just right-but there is no reason not to try. I suggest you read the poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye “Do Not stand at my Grave and Weep.” One of my favorite verses “I am a thousand winds that blow”
Enjoy the beginning of summer. Mike