Memorial Day

For a lot of people Memorial Day is the start of summer. They head to the lakes, go camping, grill out, drink a lot of beers. Not me.

My family has always had the same Memorial Day tradition. Every Memorial Day we head to my Mom’s hometown, and attend the Memorial Day ceremonies. It’s the day I visit my Great Grandparents that I never knew. It’s the day I visit the uncle that was killed in Vietnam that I never knew.

This year will be the first time I get to visit someone I knew. It will be my first visit to my Grandpa’s grave. He died two years ago, but I had to work last Memorial Day. I don’t know how I am going to feel. My eyes are already starting to water just thinking about it.

My Grandma on my Dad’s side died in 1987. I feel terrible that I have only been back to her grave once since. She is buried in my Dad’s hometown which I don’t get to very often. I couldn’t control myself when I saw her grave. I think it also had something to do with my last name being on it.

Memorial Day is a sad day for me. It’s the day that I remember not only the veterans, but everybody who has passed on. It’s my day to say thanks.