MEMORIAL DAY

Today we celebrated Memorial Day the same way we have for the last 8 years, arriving at Acacia Cemetary to observe the laying of the wreaths, the playing of Taps, the 21 gun salute, the Living Cross done by the Jobs Daughters and the trip down the hill to visit our beloved Chloe. There were a few exceptions this year. Bruce and I arrived 15 minutes late for "muster" at 9:30 AM as Bruce was not feeling well at all, Jenny and John thought the ceremony started at 10:30 AM and got there right at 10, the rest of the Karline family arrived, I sat by myself while the rest of the group sat in the sun (with the occasional visit by Colby and Max to sit in my lap and cuddle), visiting with our many friends from the Masonic Orders, losing Bruce, finding Bruce and finally arriving at the bottom of the hill to put flowers from a friend's wedding at Chloe's gravesite.

The ceremony and speeches today honored the men and women in uniform both past and present. I thought of my son-in-law headed to Afghanistan and how I didn't want him to have to go. But, at the same time extremely proud of him for being willing to lay his life on the line to help us keep the freedoms we have. I thought of Jenny and how strong she will need to be during the coming months and I thought of my grandchildren who will be without their father for 12 long months. Yes, there were a few exceptions today.

Many things were different as I didn't feel the need to stay as long this time. Maybe it was because Bruce was ill and I wanted to get him home. Maybe it was just time to do what I had come to do and move on. Maybe it's because Chloe is in my heart all the time now and I don't need to see the grave marker as much or . . . maybe, just maybe I prefer to sit with Chloe by myself and talk to her. To tell her how much she is needed to watch over her family, her mommy needs to know she has a guardian angel, her daddy needs her to protect him while he is in Afghanistan, her brothers and sister need her to help them be good and helpful while daddy is away and to tell her how much I miss her.

After leaving the cemetary and getting Bruce home, I went out to Jenny's to have lunch with their family and John's parents. John was leaving later in the afternoon to return to Camp Ripley for another 3 weeks of training. While Jenny and I made mints for the deployment ceremony in Chisholm, I watched as John interacted with each of his children. Jenny excused herself for have a few moments of private time as she said her goodbyes. After that, John came to say goodbye, hugs his kids, allow me to hug him and tell him to take care of himself and we would help take care of his family. I watched when Jenny returned from walking John to his car. I knew the tears were there and she was being brave, even asking for her own pity party which, of course, I granted.

I think it takes a pretty strong woman to have to say goodbye several times over until the one that means I won't see you for a year. I never thought much about the military until John came into our lives, but this Memorial Day I thought about it even more. Yes, this Memorial Day was different but then again, aren't they all?