Our Lucy has always been a very active dog. A little "high strung" she is not as mellow as our Ellie was. Yet she is pure Golden Retriever through and through.
Even after taking a long walk with my husband, she speeds down the driveway to greet me if I am outside.
There's Mom! Gotta run, gotta run to meet her.
And she often selects rather unusual places to rest. Here is one of her favorite resting places, chin on a chair rung under the kitchen table.
Seems uncomfortable, but she is fast asleep
The White Squirrel Festival has nearly eclipsed the meaning of Memorial Day Weekend here in Brevard. I suspect that if you ask the average person in the streets what is special about this weekend, they would be much more likely to say, "The White Squirrel Festival" than "Memorial Day Weekend."
Tomorrow morning there will be rather limited attendance at our small Memorial Day Parade and the placing of the memorial wreaths in front of the monuments on the Courthouse Square. But the streets of Brevard will be closed and jam-packed with people for the two-day Festival. Music, food, entertainment, craft vendors, contests, and the White Squirrel Derby (soapbox style) will attract the crowds. I wonder how many people will pause in front of the monuments and wreaths to remember exactly why we have Memorial Day?
Rather than a quote this week, I will share part of a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
Your silent tents of snow
We deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours.
The memory is indeed ours. I hope all of us will set aside some time this weekend to ponder how many brave men and women have given the ultimate sacrifice to this country. And to thank them silently.
HAVE A WONDERFUL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, EVERYONE! STAY SAFE
12 comments:
Beautiful Lucy.
We have a memorial not far from our home, along a quiet country lane. Each year wreaths are placed for all those who gave their lives in first and second world war. The Americans were based near our home in the 2nd world war. Whenever I pass, I always pause and remember, as you say, those who gave the ultimate
sacrifice.
You are right. Too often the day now has meanings not even related to remembering those who sacrificed.
Hi there and Happy Memorial Day weekend to you. I love Lucy for her spunk. I hope you have a wonderful White Squirrel weekend too.
Hugs,
Noreen
Awww.... She's beautiful!
Our black lab is just as comical and energetic!
This weekend we'll be attending Kidfest and then camping in our back yard before heading to the reservoir for some hiking. But yes, while in the tent Sunday night, we'll be discussing why our holiday is called Memorial weekend and what it means. Thank you for the reminder to do so.
Its the old fashioned parade and memorial service here in Spring Valley. And right across the highway from our home...:)
Lucy sure loves her "mom".
A nicely written post, thanks.
Always glad to see Lucy. She does find some interesting places to rest her pretty head.
My father was a medic in WW2. I always think of him on these holidays that honor veterans and those who did not make it home from the wars. My father came home, a man probably changed by what he had seen, and with a Purple Heart for his bravery.
Without a universal draft, it's far too easy for the majority to feel little personal impact from a war and to fail to truly realize the suffering it inflicts on those who serve.
Thank you for the reminder.
What Vicki said...so true. Such detachment..."thank you for your service *wave the flag*" is not the same as reflecting on what they gave so that we may have our White Squirrel Festival, our wedding (post to come on my my blog), our cook-out, our sun and surf time. I didn't wear the uniform. I had the freedom to make that choice. I fight a war of another kind, but I never take for granted the sacrifice of those who gave that last, full measure...never. I love Lucy, too! That excitement and energy! The silly posture under the chair! Love you, too, friend I have never met...so much. Peace be with us all this weekend and always. May we never forget the sacrifice...so great a sacrifice...made in the name of duty, honor, and country.
Thanks for your comments, everyone.
Cheryl - I have recently been reading historical fiction about the UK women and the war effort. They were brave souls.
Robin - I think they all came home changed. Hard to imagine what they endured.
Vicki - I agree. Too many people have disengaged themselves to the battles being fought.
Linthead - Well said.
*Sigh* you are so right about the meaning of the holiday.
Wishing you and yours all the best.
Suz
I love your Lucy no matter where she is. The Memorial Day festivities downtown sound like a perfect way to honor those who gave so much.
Sam
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