May 2019 Blog

Honoring Memories

May 6, 1972

​Holding memories in our hearts can be a wonderful and honorable thing to do.  I feel, it gives the memory a purpose and legacy. Your memories live on in you and others too. During the month of May there are so many personal memories that come to mind for me.

First and foremost, May is the month I married my High School sweetheart 47 years ago. I remember the day like it was yesterday...it was a sunny beautiful Spring day! I think about what "kids" we were back then. Who knew what life had in store for us. We didn't. That's for sure!  We just trusted that things would always work out and be okay.  Life threw us some curve balls at times. But, all in all, looking back, we were and still are truly blessed. Two kids, 5 grand children and 7 fur babies (4 have gone over the rainbow bridge) later we are still "kids" at heart!! Denis is still running and surfing and I am still creating art. I would like to think that we are a lot wiser and experienced then we were back then…but, truth be told...we still have so very much to learn and experience. That's what's so exciting about life. You never know what windows will open and a breeze of opportunity will just fly right in :-)

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May is also the month we celebrate and honor our Mothers. This year Mother's Day is on May 12th. Oh, Boy! Need we NEVER EVER forget Mother's Day. Those wonderfully strong ladies living or deceased who nurture(d) and care(d) for us. For me... Mother's Day holds so many fond memories. At 91 years old, my mom is still a huge part of my life. She's a listening, non-judgmental individual who protects those that she loves. She is the mother of 6 children, 14 Grandchildren and 18 Great-Grand children...AND boy, oh, boy, she has seen and witnessed a lot in her 91 years. Living through WWII and the Great Depression she experienced a nation that came together in the bad times to bring forth the good times.  She met my dad when he arrived home from the war. I guess you could say she fell madly in love with a soldier. Mom stills admits that she loves a man in uniform!!! Dad never talked about the war and his days in battle. He just never shared those memories with us. He held them in his heart. But, he always celebrated on one very special day…Memorial Day.  That was super important to my father. When dad passed in 1995 he had a touching and moving send off at Calverton Cemetery in Riverhead, New York.  I'm sure as he was looking down from heaven, he was proud as ever for the send off the United States Armed Forces gave to him. He was so proud to have served his country and he never forgot the fallen soldiers who fought next to him that never made it home.

Memorial Day is a day of treasured memories.  It's a day that we recognize and honor the fallen soldiers both human and canine that served selflessly to defend our great nation to keep us safe and free.  It's a day the USA comes together to celebrate the lives of the brave who gave their lives to protect ours. This Memorial Day may you take a moment out of your day to remember and honor those great soldiers for their service and sacrifice. 

Yes, memories can conjure up treasures we hold near and dear to our hearts. They make us think, reminisce and can even bring a tear to our eyes. They really can hold a fruitful and wonderful purpose and legacy. They may even help to make the world a better place. Now, wouldn't that be an honor!?

​May you have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Happy Tales to you,
Yvonne

​"Memories"
by Elvis Presley
Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine

Quiet thought come floating down
And settle softly to the ground
Like golden autumn leaves around my feet
I touched them and they burst apart with sweet memories,
Sweet memories

Of holding hands and red bouquets
And twilight trimmed in purple haze
And laughing eyes and simple ways
And quiet nights and gentle days with you

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine,
Memories, memories, sweet memories