Decoration Day
or Memorial Day as it is now called
brings back many memories of my childhood.
It is the weekend I would go to the cemeteries with my mother
and remember those that have gone before us.
 |
| Calvary Cemetery, Sterling, IL 2013 |
I don't think I was always so agreeable to go,
but now I'm so grateful for this memory.
 |
| Riverside Cemetery, Sterling, IL 2013 |
My mother's parents are buried in Durand, IL
which is about 30 minutes or so, from our family farm.
My two uncles and wives would sometimes go with us
and with red geraniums, soap and water, and garden tools in hand,
we took off heading north.
I would hear stories about how they used to have
picnics in the cemetery.
It was a family affair.
(Yes, really!)
I had the good fortune of knowing my grandfather,
but my grandmother died young.
They are buried in the family plot with her parents,
Philo Hanford, a Civil War veteran.
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| My mom on the left with her grandfather, Philo Hanford. |
Mom and her brothers would also speak of a baby sister,
that was the first born of my grandparents.
No one knew her name nor did she have a marker.
Well, with more and more records going on line,
I found her name in the Winnebago County records last year.
*Fayola Parker*
 |
| Hanford family plot, Durand, IL 2012 |
I flagged where she is buried and
plan on buying a marker for my Aunt Fayola.
****
My paternal grandparents, parents
and sister-in-law
are buried just up the road,
maybe a quarter of a mile from the family farm.
Mom worried.
Who would take care of the graves
after she is gone?
 |
| Brauer family plot, Winnebago Cemetery, May, 2013 |
Don't worry mom.
You taught us all well.
I even brought soap and water
to wash down the markers.
***
Happy Decoration Day
(and) Memorial Day to everyone.
