Our Memorial Dad this year is May 28th, and we remember our dead relatives on that day. There is also some recognition for those who have fought to defend our country and have died. When I was a little boy, all our families and relatives would gather at my grandmother's house on that day with a big potluck, with lots of food and deserts. My mother grew flowers special for the occasion to take them to the graves of our families and loved ones. We would usually go to the cemetary and visit the graves, after which we would go to my grandmother's house for the potluck meal. When my grandmother died, I was 18 years old. For a short few years the family lost interest in gathering with grandma gone, but after just a few short years we started gathering again, and we are still doing that. It is very enjoyable to get together and eat while talking about our dead loved ones and relatives, with fond memories.
I have a kind of funny story to tell about my aunt and uncle. Some of it is serious, and part of it is very funny! When they had my grandma's funeral my aunt was crying, I mean bawling right out load. That part was not funny because she was the baby of the family, youngest of about 12 or so children and she loved and missed her mommy who was now dead and lying in the casket. My uncle, her husband, right out loud, enough so every one in the church could hear him, told her hush up! And he did not say it nice. He was either mad that she was bawling, or it embarrassed him, and I am not sure which. Well, many years past and that uncle died just a few years ago, and he was lying in his casket, and guess what? My aunt laughed while they had his funeral, and I'm not sure why. Different people react differently to grief, and I guess that was her way of grieving. I was horrified that she sat there telling jokes and laughing while his funeral was taking place!
They did stay together all their lives, and they were married when she was 13 or 14 years old. When grandma saw a good man, she tried to get them married, and though her daughter was very young, she didn't want that one to get away. My mother married at 15 or 16, and I can't remember which, but I could figure it out. The aunt who laughed at her husband's funeral is now 91 years old. Maybe she was getting senile already at that time, just a few yeras ago!