My father-in-law was a World War II vet who was extremely dedicated to visiting the graves of all of his relatives over the Memorial Day Weekend. He would buy pots, soil and flowers and make up a nice display for every relative buried in the Nebraska and Iowa area. He also visited some of his friends who had passed away. We wanted to respect Bud's wishes and decided after he passed away last year, that we would take over his Memorial Day duties.
So, on Saturday we drove to Fremont Nebraska and picked up Rod's Aunt Maxine. Her husband Pete passed away last spring, so this would be her 2nd visit to her beloved husband's resting place. The three of us then drove to Sutton, Nebraska where we visited Maxine's husband (Rod's uncle), and Rod's grandma and grandpa from his mom's side of the family. We then drove to Fairbury, NE where we visited Rod's grandma, (his dad's mom) and an aunt. From Fairbury we drove to Lincoln, Nebraska where we visited the grave site of Rod's Mom and Dad. With all of those visits taken care of, we drove back to Fremont and dropped Aunt Maxine off and we headed back to Omaha. In all, we drove about 387 miles and used over $100.00 in gas! Now, granted, we didn't drive a fuel-efficient vehicle...we took Rod's Hummer! But, with the crazy wind we had in Nebraska and all of the travelers on the road, it was the safest (although not cheapest) choice!!
On Monday, I drove to Lincoln and my sister and I visited our parent's and grandparent's sites in the Catholic cemetery. We then drove out to Raymond, Nebraska where our Dad's parents and our Dad's best friend are buried.
Today I took a short drive to Council Bluffs, Iowa (15 miles or so) and took some flowers to an aunt and uncle on Rod's Dad's side of the family. They had no children and Bud was always very loving and loyal to them.
Memorial Day is more than just a day off and a chance to get together and have a cookout. It is truly a day that we should take some time to remember those who have gone before us, those who are waiting for us when it is our time to leave this life. I honestly don't feel that the people whose graves we visited were actually there, in the cemetery. I believe that they are in heaven with our Lord, enjoying "life" in a way that we won't understand until we meet them again.
Thanks for reading.
Annette
7 comments to A nice weekend....:
I can't think of a better way to spend $100.00 than by honoring your relatives and friends and visiting their graves. What a wonderful tradition to carry on from Rod's dad. Don't you know he was looking down and smiling upon you all day!
hugs, di
Wow, Annette, what a great day you spent honoring all the lost loved ones..The Hummer, well I am sure was safest, you cannot always go by the cheapest..LOL
I hope you are resting up now..
:)
Hugs,
Jen
How sweet of you guys to do that for your Aunt Maxine. I was having a bummer day so only went to my parents grave. I'm better today. Carie brought Tennyson out to see me so I got my baby fix!
I think that is a wonderful tradition to carry on for your FIL! I hope you can do it every year. :)
Hugs,
Colleen :)
Annette, I think that was so sweet of you guys to continue your father in laws tradition.
I am not able to go visit all my family's grave sites for they are to far away, but I cannot think of a better way to celebrate Memorial Day.
I cannot think of a better reason to spend $100 for gas. You have memories and a Happy Aunt Maxine that will be thankful to you forever.
BTW, my Mom's sister who I was real close to her name was Maxine! If your Aunt Maxine is even half the lady mine was, then she is one special person!
Love ya,
Sheila
Oh annette that was such a wonderful thing for you to do. It is so nice to see such wonderful people like yourself, continue doing those things for someone else who did it before you.
I think it is nice what you did for our vets :)
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