Memorial Day, a fun Victoria story, and friends.

posted by Patty James @ 1:29pm, Monday 31 May 2010.

Memorial Day, I read, used to be called 'Decoration Day' and was to honor Union soldiers who died. After WW II it was expanded to include all soldiers who have given their lives in a war or conflict. With a son in Afghanistan, I think about these things more. If a soldier was drafted and fought in a war they didn't believe in, did they give their lives or was it taken? Anyway...as I walked through Victoria's neighborhood and see all the flags flying, I have been rather choked up the last day. Today we honor our soldiers, and I truly do. For me, I think about these holidays and hope that children understand the meaning of today and that it simply isn't the unofficial first day of summer. Traditions hold us and ground us. They bring people together, whether that is a family or a country. I like to think there are world traditions as well. As a world community, we can and do put our differences behind us when our respective countries are in need. It warms your heart. I will continue to hope that these momentary flashes of goodwill will some day be everyday.

I have a fun story Victoria shared with me a couple days ago. If you don't read my daily posts, I am in Naperville outside of Chicago at my friend Victoria's house and she very graciously opened her house for me and Patch and Wilma. Today Victoria and her daughter Julianna made homemade dog biscuits and the doggies loved them! A hit. Any way...years ago, Victoria was married to Chuck and they had 4 kids under the age of 10. So, you say, people do that...Victoria was also in law school. Can you imagine? So it's finally time for graduation and Victoria told her professor that she wanted her four little ones to walk across the stage with her to accept her diploma. After all, they were part of the whole process. She was denied this request, which didn't set well with her. So now it's the morning of graduation, Victoria and Chuck have a plan. The kids are all dressed up and Chuck and 4 little ones know the plan. When it comes close to her time to walk, he gets up and quickly hustles the kids over to Mom where they walk behind her like four little ducklings as she receives her diploma. Her classmates were so happy for all of them and were hooting and hollering! O.K., so she didn't follow the rules, so be it. What a great story. I can visualize the whole thing, can't you?

On this day of memory and gratitude, I am thankful for all the incredible people in my life; family and friends.

I hope you are all enjoying the day.

I'm excited about heading back into Chicago tomorrow for kids interviews. More tomorrow night when I return.