Memorial Day has special meaning for many different people. It's a day set aside to honor those that have fought for freedom in the military, or served their country in some way. For some, it signifies the beginning of summer. For others it is simply a day to remember those that have gone on to the Father before us. For my husband, it is also the weekend that his father passed away, many years ago, just as we started our relationship. I had not known Mark for long when his dad passed away. I have only met his dad one time, while he and Dorothy came to Elmer's Doghouse for dinner while Mark and I were working (only friends at the time). This year, the first Memorial Day without his mom, felt quite different. We have always attended the service held at the cemetery where his dad is buried. A short, simple ceremony; always scorching hot under the sun, or cold and rainy. Never quite in between. The ceremony always ends with the gun salute and Taps being played....children running to collect the empty shells from the ground afterward. This year we all went as usual, everything about the day was routine and same as it has always been, but it felt much different. Emptier, and missing the mother that is always there making sure we all showed up. It was sad for each person there, but no one quite voiced it out loud. For me, I have always felt sorry that I didn't know the man that raised my husband. But today, I felt sad that my kids will not grow up with either one of Mark's parents. I think today was hard for him and his siblings. But as we spend Memorial Day as the beginning of summer or as honoring to military personnel, this year we definitely have those who are now with the Father first and foremost in our mind.
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