Cemetery Visiting

As you both know, cemetery visiting is a ritual for dad and I ever since we took care of Lakeview when you girls were MUCH younger.  Yesterday we picked up Grandma for breakfast and then we were off to eight different cemeteries.  (Valley Springs, Hills, Steen, Rock Rapids, Doon, Rock Valley, Lester and Larchwood)    We put flowers out at Valley Springs, Hills and Steen.  Uncle Rich had brought a geranium for Aunt Pat's grave plus a bunch of silk flowers and a couple of crosses so I took most of what he brought apart, bought some new flowers for the crosses and went from there.

Grandma had these red flowers hanging down in her storage unit for years and decided maybe she should put them out this year.  She was pleased with the look of it when we finished.

 I think this is a bit flowery but Uncle Rich likes lots of flowers.  After Memorial Day, I think dad and I will plant some day lilies where the orange cross is. 

 

Aunt Fanny always brought flowers for Grandpa's vase every spring and since she died, I've taken over for her.  I always try to find something bright that can be seen from the road.  I think it's a good tradition to carry on.

 This was the first year we've ever put anything out for Grandma but Rich had brought this pink bouquet and it looked really nice out there. 

 This little gravestone was a highlight for Grandma.  This is her little brother who died when she was 8 years old - she doesn't remember a funeral nor does she know what he died from.  She had no idea where he was buried but as we were driving/walking around, we found this.  We also found several other "Gorter" gravesites.  I think it was "fun" for her as she tried to remember who some of these people might have been and how they were related to her.

I'm sure there are many people who think our spring ritual is morbid but for us, it's a journey down memory lane.  I saw the gravesites of both sets of my grandparents and it brings back happy memories of going to their homes and a sense of comfort knowing that they are with our Lord and Savior waiting for us to arrive home.

I always feel a bit sad though when I visit Aunt Nel - I just wasn't ready to let her go.

As Memorial Day comes, we think of our armed forces and what they have done to help us keep our freedom.  But I also think it's a time to remember our loved ones and how they have influenced our lives and help make us the people we are today.

Enjoy the holiday!!!!  Loads of love from,
Gramma and MOM

25th Anniversary

Do you recognize all of these wonderful people who helped us celebrate our 25th Anniversary so many years ago?  We went to the Bali Hi for their Hawiian dinner.  At first I was a little upset that dad and I didn't have a drink of any sort when the rest of them did (note:  Gary's ever-present coffee pot).  However, as I looked closer, dad and I have the largest drink of all - see the two straws coming from the drink in the middle.
This was a very memorable night in other ways - it's the one and only time that your father has danced with me and it was on stage in front of everyone.  He still talks about it.  It was a fun, fun evening with very good friends.

I don't think any of us have changed at all, except Marvin maybe.  His hair isn't quite as dark as it was back then.

ENJOY!!!!

Love to you all
Gramma and MOM

PS:  This memorable picture came from Nancy this last week.  She must be cleaning.  Click on picture to make it bigger, if you wish.

Our backyard

 

We've been home over a week now so I decided to just skip our "going home" trip.  This last week one day Dad told me he had to go to Menard's and buy himself an electric chainsaw.  Of course, I asked him whatever for.  He indicated that the apple tree in the backyard was just too tall and had too many apples that were too high for him to pick last year.

 

After I hear him cutting away, I go out to check his progress and this is what I found - he absolutely massacured this tree.  Even the neighbors were giving him a hard time this weekend.

 It's all cleaned up now so the backyard looks better but the tree is still super ugly!!!!

However, dad's flowerbed along the back of the house looks quite nice - his red tulips are blooming; his old-fashioned hollyhocks are coming up nicely and also his lilies. 


 This is our clematis and it's actually growing this year.  Maybe it will bloom and be beautiful like other people's plants.  We'll keep our fingers crossed.

 

Tonight we went to Maggie's graduation party - what a nice party!!  Maggie was lovely.  Dad didn't even recognize her with her cute dress on.  We had a good time with lots of EXCELLENT food - good jog, Aunt Sue and Maggie.

 

That's it for this week.  Have a good week ahead.

 

Love to all

Gramma and MOM