Memorial Day

My thanks to Don Thompson for organizing a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at our church cemetery. Veterans in our congregation, including Don, Joann, Randy, Jack and Dan carried a flag daughter Kayla sent from Iraq. The veterans folded the flag and placed a wreath at the grave of Civil War veteran George Cutter, while taps played in the distance. GAR veteran Duane Paterson is also buried in our cemetery and flags were placed at both stones. The men of the church began restoration of cemetery markers last year, repairing or re-setting 30 stones. Several church volunteers have already been at work this summer, clearing brush and weeds, trimming and mowing. There are plans to continue repairing and re-setting markers that have fallen over the years.

SURPRISE!

I've never been good at handling surprises. I don't care for surprise parties and prefer to know my destination before getting into the car. So Sunday morning, May 30th, will go down in history as one of those days. Youngest daughter Kayla and husband Rob are both serving in the US Army. Kayla's been overseas since last November. Rob's stationed in Texas, awaiting her return. So to say I was speechless when they appeared at the church door just before worship started is a gross understatement. I tried to remain calm, cool and collected. Thought I was doing a good job until one of the guys said "It's okay to cry when you're happy. We do it too?!" Kayla and Rob, son Jon and his wife, Jen and daughter Heather and wife Marty brought our family fully together for the first time in over 2 years. We spent a few days catching up before Jon, Jen, Rob and Kayla headed out........I still don't like surprises, but that's one I'll always treasure and keep close to my heart----right next to the one daughter Heather pulled when she was attending Trinity College in Ireland and showed up to celebrate Christmas. Art Linkletter had it right....Kids do the darndest things.....no matter how grown up they are!