Memorial Day...

I have memories of going to the cemetery when I was a little girl
having picked sweet smelling lilac's and white snow balls from the yard and going from one cemetery to the next placing them at the graves of Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles I never knew.

To be honest, I didn't realize until I was much older that Memorial day is a day set aside to honor those who gave their lives in the military. When I was really little...it was called "Decoration Day"....(this really dates me) regardless of what it was called...I knew it was a day of reverence and respect.

I went to the cemetery a few years ago
(it wasn't memorial day..it was simply one of my regular visits)
and found this "medallion" placed on Natalie's headstone.
The pictures below are of both sides of the medal..or medallion.
I don't know who put it there...or why




It touched me in a very profound way...to know that someone
who perhaps has served our country...or lost someone that
has served our country...would leave this for Natalie




It's still a mystery
I've kept it put away in a special place
today felt appropriate to share this...wanting whomever left it
to know that their sacrifice for our country
does not go unnoticed and today I'm thinking of them
with reverence and respect...

Should have known better...

I've been spending a lot of time in airports lately.
Travelling too much, missing home and family too much.
I'm much too familiar with the "Hudson News" book stores
in airports across the country..usually to pick up a magazine
to occupy a hour or two between flights
This time, a book caught my eye... this book in particular

"a memoir of loss and love"
...yes, I should have known better

I opened the cover, skimmed the inside flap...which contained the words
"pulmonary embolism"
two words that changed our lives too...
and memories of loss and love hit me. right. there. in the airport.

I bought it. I read it. flying across the sky above the clouds. trying to fight tears as this husband described how one day after their baby girl Madeline was born...his wife's life ended.quickly.abruptly.just.like.Natalie.


This book made me more thankful for Colby, for the man he is, for the husband he was to Natalie, for the amazing dad he is to Noah.

Mostly...it made me thankful for peace and hope.

perhaps next time, between flights, a magazine will do me just fine.







*here is my attempt at a review of the book; filled with explicit language and lack of any religion,faith,peace or hope...this left me unable to connect emotionally)