Yesteryear Memories

Traditionally on Memorial Day, our friends gather together to celebrate the start of the summer season. Warm greetings, friendly conversations, and a barbecue at the Rockville Links always make for a festive occasion that usually centers on past memories and family news. Friendships developed over the past thirty years remind us of the strong bond that exists among our group of friends.

Despite the grayness in the sky, the weather cooperated enough to allow us to stroll outside on the grounds as we remembered so many good times over the years. The addition of a firepit overlooking the golf course provided a new venue to relax while recalling our memories: swim meets, championships, sportsmanship awards, and countless dinners and barbecues. Years flashed before us as my family and friends talked about the many good times. 

Then, the conversation drifted back to why we were gathering together. While Memorial Day is the day to kickoff the summer season, it is also a day to honor the past and the many American heroes. Our conversation led to talk of battles that the older generation witnessed, medals won, and ceremonies that celebrate heroism.

My son and I spoke of his Grandpa Manny, a simple man with a big heart who cared deeply for his family and his country. Life in the early part of the 20th Century was different than today for this man. Because of his commitment to family, when Manny's father was killed he had to leave school at the end of 8th grade to become the breadwinner of the family. Shortly after that time in his life, World War II began and many young men rushed to enlist. Manny chose the Navy because he heard that the food was better. We laughed about that and my husband added that his father was not even a good swimmer. Manny's naval career took him around the world and opened his eyes to places that a young man from Brooklyn had never thought he would see in his lifetime. Conversation then moved to another New Yorker whom we refer to as Uncle Horace. While in his nineties, Uncle Horace remains sprite and always recounts for us the many honors he received as a veteran. Two men with two stories about being part of the American experience brought us back to a focal point of our Memorial Day gathering.  

One story led to another during yesterday's barbecue. The day ended with another memory being established for the start of the 2016 summer season. 

What memories did you make this Memorial Day Weekend?

Join the Tuesday Slice of Life at Two Writing Teachers to read a variety of slices.

Time Honored Tradition

Memorial Day is the traditional day to honor American heroes who have perished serving the United States. It is also a day to celebrate with family and friends the bonds that keep America strong. 

Day opens to the sounds of soft chirping

breaking the silence of the night that 

turns gray in the morning shadows.

As light tries to break through,

sounds of freedom ring

across the land.

Voices sing

loud and

clear.

We remember!

Live your life with conviction as those who have come before us.

Memorial Day is the day to celebrate what America offers.

Happy Memorial Day

Enjoy the Memorial Day Holiday. Do you have a Memorial Day tradition? I started a new one two years ago, writing a poem for each Memorial Day. Last year's poem can be accessed here and my 2014 poem here.

Thank you for joining my Poetry Parade 

as I salute American heroes today.

Honoring Heroes

As the clock strikes 12, Memorial Day begins. Parades, speeches, barbecues, and get togethers are planned for the event. They are the typical of the traditions celebrated at this time of year. Besides these, of utmost concern is the remembering of American heroes who served and sacrificed their lives. Joseph Campbell said, "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." Let us stop to reflect on this for a brief moment while engaging in activities with family and friends.

The above five-line poem with a 5/7/5/7/7 syllable count poem is a tanka. It originated in Japan as a waka, a Japanese song or verse. 

Words convey a message of importance. At the turn of the 20th century holiday postcards were popular. You can see a few of the colorful antique Memorial Day postcards that I own. Thoughts expressed were sent out to family and friends. While postcard writing is not prevalent as in the Victorian days, blogging and tweeting have become ways to communicate with those far away. 

Enjoy the Memorial Day Holiday. Do you have a Memorial Day tradition other than those mentioned that you engage in with your family? I am starting a new one, writing a poem for each Memorial Day. Last year's poem can be accessed here.

Join my Poetry Parade as I salute

American heroes today.

Celebrating Heroes

This week was a week for celebrating heroes-from #eduheroes to fallen American heroes.  At the start of the week, I created a site, Hall of #EduHero Voices, for #NYEDChat's conversation that occurred last Monday night (and trended on Twitter). It is fitting to recognize teachers as eduheroes whose passion for educating youth is evident on a daily basis. I received a tweet while writing this post from My Town Tutors who recognized the Hall of #EduHero Voices in their paper, The New York Tutors Daily. You can access my post in the newsletter here.

http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2015/05/lift-voices-in-unison.html

This week I also celebrated the power of words through blogging, tweeting, and poetry writing. I even captured my thought just before popping in my biscotti dough into the oven. Words in recipes are essential in the baking process just as in poetry writing. In addition, I celebrated the ability to be a risk taker and create a new dough the way my grandmother taught me: a little of this and a little of that. Pop it in the oven and whisk it away to a barbecue for all to enjoy. (Just an aside, the anisette biscotti was tasty as stated by all. Thanks, Nonnie for teaching me the tricks of the trade.)

I extended my celebration this week with digital poetry-two more poems created for the following posts, Beginnings and Digital Journal. Amy VanDerwater featured my digital notebook, at  Sharing Our Notebooks, Try This! - Turn a Song into a Found Poem. 

I also celebrated the virtue of patience and created an electric image to signify my emotions. The post with the following image can be accessed here. Do you know heroes that have just one of those days?

Now, Memorial Day is upon us and I think of the fallen American heroes who served and sacrificed for this American nation. I recognize these men and women in a way I know best, words that carry a message. The poem and post will air at 12:00 midnight. 

I celebrate the week's events along with the writing community created by Ruth Ayres. Please visit Ruth's site, Celebrate This Week, to read how others enjoyed their week.