A Rose for Them and You

How the years fly by. It is now fourteen years since I retired from teaching. Well, I still do a little teaching in church and at our park in Florida. However, I told them at church that I will not be teaching there anymore. If only I could get out of teaching those beginning computer classes at Ramblers Rest, I would at last be free. Maybe it's time to put the kibash on that, too.

When I was a boy, my mother called it Decoration Day. The day of observance was always May 30. That was also my mother's birthday. I recall one memory of Decoration Day she shared with us when we were children. She told us that there was a year when it was so cold (How Cold was it?); it was so cold they planted corn with overcoats on. Now, that's a cold May 30, at least for southeastern Pennsylvania.

I don't have too many memories of Memorial Days from the past. When I was growing up, we never really observed days like Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, or Veteran's Day. I suppose that was because Mennonites disassociated themselves from these kind of holidays. Then again, we didn't do much celebrating of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year, either. My parents weren't much for celebrating special days. I guess that's why I find it difficult to get too excited about special days. I don't even get birthday presents anymore. I do appreciate a call I usually get from my sister, Arvilla. We generally call each other on our birthdays. That's nice.

My elderly mother-in-law will be taking flowers to her husband's grave on Monday. Bless her heart; she just can't give up that tradition, even though she finds it difficult to get around. One of her grandchildren will be taking her there. My son, Jim, and his family are at the shore this weekend. My daughter, Ellen, will be over either on Sunday or Monday for a few hours. I guess Mary and I will be going out to dinner on Monday, either alone or with Ellen. We don't have picnics anymore.

Our pool opened today at The Oaks Condominium. They had a lunchtime celebration with brats, beans, etc. We didn't go since we got up late and had a late breakfast of pancakes. I'm on a diet, so I didn't want brats anyway. Well, I wanted them, but I knew I shouldn't. You know how that is.

I suppose it is nice to remember those who have left this vale of tears. However, I think it is more important that we remember the living. Do something nice for someone this weekend, and make a habit of it. There's an old song entitled, "Give Me the Roses While I Live." I think that's a good philosophy. Maybe by doing that you will give someone a memory of you that they can cherish long after you are gone. Have a nice Memorial Day, and remember that the next one is right around the corner. That's the real problem. I am getting to the place in life where I have more memories than visions. Have a rose on me today. - The old Professor