Memorial Day is a day we in the United States choose to look back and be grateful for those who gave their lives serving in our military. Over the years, I have expanded it to a time to remember the people and events in my life that have made me who I have become.
The peonies are blooming in Ohio. My grandmother had them in abundance from the time I can remember. Their scent was so sweet, and they lasted a long time when cut and brought in the house. Her beautiful garden in northeast Columbus featured them at the fence lines and she transplanted many to their rural retirement home near Sunbury. Grandma Irene grew dinner plate-sized peonies in pink and white. Despite all the varieties of peonies now available, they remain my favorites even though they don’t do well here in Southeast Texas. I remember one Memorial Day weekend when I was a young child staying with my grandparents, we took a raft of peonies to the cemetery at Chillicothe, Ohio. Many of my family members are buried there, as my grandmother’s family began with an American Revolution soldier who lived in Pennsylvania. His offspring moved to the Ohio country before it became a state. Her father was a cabinetmaker. The highlight of his work could be seen in the original State capitol building in Chillicothe. My grandfather’s family lived there too. I remember them placing large cans of peonies on multiple plots.
Memorial Day traditionally was our first cook-out of the summer. It is not a barbeque like the ones we in Texas and transplanted Texans enjoy. Hotdogs and hamburgers were the fare along with my grandmother’s homemade potato salad and some delicious dessert. Good barbeque takes much longer. I’m sure my sons treat their families every chance they get to smoke meat.
As an adult, I now have friends remembering the more recent sacrifice of those who served and did not return. I also remember the little grandson whose genetic break meant he could not live without a creative miracle. The miracle came but not until he was with our loving family members who have gone on before to be with the Lord. Knowing I will see them all again eases the pain of loss. I also take joy in remembering friends from the past, brothers and sisters in Christ from other churches, some of whom have gone on before us.
Today, I choose to renew my commitment to encourage others in faith, remembering that He is faithful and that His faithfulness changes us to become more like Him.
Galatians 5:22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
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