Oh remember, remember...

Memorial Day is one of those holidays that people feel a variety of ways about. Some find it as a great opportunity to spend a three day weekend camping, in fact, I think it has come to symbolize the opening of camping season. Others spend the weekend watching war movies and celebrating military victories and the deaths of anyone who wasn't them. Some put up flags, salute those lost in defense of the freedoms that allow for a national holiday, stand at attention at ceremonies in cemeteries, remember. 

I've always been one of those sit around and enjoy a nice day off in the end of May kind of people. When I started teaching, this three day weekend was the nearing the end salvation break. This year, however, I wanted to make the day more meaningful than just another free Monday lounging on the couch. So, I told my dad I wanted to go to Oak Harbor and visit the graves of my immediate ancestors passed on from this life. He wasn't too keen on it, but it meant we could visit with his parents, so off we went to Whidbey Island.

We first went to the Oak Harbor cemetery to see my mother's parents. I hadn't been there in years, maybe even since my grandma was buried.  It was a really special moment to stand near them, even if it was just the shell of their bodies. I never knew my grandpa True and barely knew my grandma True. My dad was a little weird about it, so naturally I made a joke about being afraid of zombies. Maybe not the most respectful, but I use humor as a defense when I'm uncomfortable, so what did you expect? 

He surprised me when he said "I don't like to think of them like this. I like to remember them the way they were when they were alive." But I never knew them in life, so for me, this was as close as I could get. I got a nice picture of their headstones, but it is on my phone and I can't figure out how to get it off my phone and on the computer.

Next we picked up my grandparents Deighton and headed out to Coupeville.

My paternal grandfather's maternal grandfather, The Old Man.

My paternal grandfather's mother.

My oldest brother.

I imagine this was a harder cemetery for my dad since these were his blood relatives and not in-laws and acquaintances. I can't remember ever having been to this site before, so I was really touched to see these stones. I think about Tad on and off and wonder what it will be like to meet him. I'm thankful for the gospel that teaches us that we will meet him again. That he will embrace our father and mother and all of his siblings and we will be a family. I'm grateful for the holiday that urged me to remember and lead me to a place that can be sad, but should be joyful!

Lyrics to live by

You know how sometimes you get a song stuck in your head and you just play those same words over and over again? Yeah, that happens to me all the time. Only, the words that get stuck in my head are stupid songs. Here are some lyrics I wish were stuck in my head so they'd filter into my life!

From "One Day" by Matisyahu:
sometimes I lay under the moon 
and thank God I'm breathing
then I pray don't take me soon
cause I am here for a reason 
sometimes in my tears I drown
but I never let it get me down
so when negativity surrounds
I know some day it'll all turn around
 ...
keep on moving though the waters stay raging 
in this maze you can lose your way (your way) 
it might drive you crazy but don't let it faze you no way (no way) 

I love this song! That line is just so much my life sometimes...and though my waters are raging in somewhat insignificant ways when you consider the real problems in the world, they are still raging for me. The trick is to not let it faze you, no way!

I have a hard time seeing my reason, my purpose sometimes. Negativity is such a powerfully magnetic emotion. It can take a lot to pull one's self away from the feeling of drowning. I love the symbolism there. Rise above the waves and be a force for change and happiness.

From "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good" by Karen Davidson:
What greater gift dost thou bestow, 
What greater goodness can we know 
Than Christ-like friends, 
Whose gentle ways 
Strengthen our faith,
 Enrich our days. 

Sister Davidson quoted Spencer W. Kimball saying "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs." (Oct. 1985 Ensign). About this hymn, she herself said "One truth has emerged from all these experiences: any [thing] can be a component of a happy life, as long as one blessing remains constant-the blessing of close, supportive personal relationships, whether friends or family, in whose lives the Savior's love is manifest." (Davidson, Our Latter-day Hymns, 296). 

What an amazing way to look at life, to look at yourself. I strive to be a friend whose gentle ways can strengthen the faith and enrich the days of those I interact with. What a blessing to have people like that in our lives. What an honor to be that person for someone! I'm not very good at this yet...which is why these should be the lyrics in my head and in my heart...ALWAYS.

There are so many inspirational songs out there, these are just the two that are permeating me right now. Keeping those positive thoughts and feelings ever present is so hard, but so important. I'm very grateful for good music that reminds me to be who I know I can be, even if that person seems so far away from who I am right now!