This is Memorial Day weekend in the US, which began in around 1868 as a day on which women used flowers to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers who had fallen in battle. Originally called Decoration Day, it evolved to include decorating the graves of all family members. Once celebrated every May 30 (when flowers were in bloom, so before those pop-up stores that sell plastic flower arrangements), it became a national holiday in 1971 and was given the workplace-friendly date of the last Monday in May. It is also the unofficial beginning of summer.
I am thankful for those who gave their lives for the freedom of our country.
I am thankful for ancestors who make up the many branches of our family tree.
And I am thankful that winter is over and summer is here, officially or unofficially!
Join in the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop and share your thankfuls.
To all of those who know the sorrow of an empty place at the table and a folded flag on the mantle, we are grateful for the service and sacrifice made by your loved one, and by you.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to say I added carol anne's gratitude list to the linky, as she doesn't know how to join linkies. I'd appreciate it if you'd check it out too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing that, Astrid!
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