The Memorial Day Special, on PBS, was last night.  Once again it was an awesome program bringing back some wonderful memories - of previous specials but especially of different families and what they have (and are) going through. It also started a conversation, with my son, about the music and remembering (honoring) the different branches of service.

I love when they do the Armed Services Medley with the flags and each branch standing.  The camera will "pan" and show the ones who are standing - all different ages, some in uniform most not.  I will confess to being very proud of Dad standing during the Air Force music.  The last few times it was very hard for him to "stand" - and he had to hold his walker - but he would stand.

Then there was the time, as he was heading into surgery, that he started singing "Off we go, into the wild blue yonder."  First off Dad was NOT a singer but there were smiles all around the hospital room.  So...the special memories..... Sometimes you just have to laugh.....  Sometimes pride......

It is hard to believe but we are to the end of May - the last weekend - and Memorial Day.  Such an important day - a day to remember how "all gave some but some gave all."  A day to remember other Memorial Days AND the stories we have heard from family members.  A day to share - hamburgers, hot dogs, parades(?).  And.... I know.... It is also a weekend to "catch up" on some of the projects needing work.

Dad, and his brother (my uncle), both served in WW II.  Uncle George served in England, was shot down over France (a story for a different day) but returned home.  They were both in the Army Air Corps which became the Air Force.  Although Dad never served "over seas" they both had stories to share of the importance of what they did.  Dad, for instance, could still remember all of the Morse Code he had learned as a radio operator.

So..... what stories are we sharing with the next generation?  Are we helping them realize the importance of knowing the history of what was happening then?  Are we helping them to understand why their ancestors fought?  Not something to be "laughing" about but definitely something to be thinking about!

Today is May Day - the 1st of May.  I'm not sure how we got to this date so fast but it could be because of how challenging the schedule has been.  It reminds me of crazy schedules from past years.  How did we survive?  Dad and I  would sometimes "run away."  How do you runaway?

We did several different things.  Sometimes we separated to our "own spaces" with him reading or working at his computer.  You guessed it - I had praise music going and was working in my sewing room.  Sometimes we, especially if it was my "day off" would take the car and go somewhere - usually involving history of some kind.  Sometimes we even met friends and added fellowship.

Sometimes we took vacation...we especially liked going on a cruise.  I would turn my cell phone off, after letting churches and family know we were on the ship, and it wouldn't go "back on" until we were back at the airport on our way home.  Sometimes it was a trip to family - celebrating my grandchildren (his great-grandchildren) but then the cell phone would still be on......   So...how do you "runaway"?  WHEN do you "runaway"?  Something to think about......