Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day, a day of remembrance. While it is generally thought to be a day to remember the Armed Forces, it is a day to remember everything. There is a saying that women have short hair and long memories. That describes me perfectly. I remember things that most people do not, in vivid detail. It is a gift and a curse. I remember that on this day, my niece was born. I remember the diner that I was sitting in with my in laws before we went to visit her. I can visualize the booth we sat in and which seat was mine. I remember my father in law forcing my mother in law to have more coffee. He thought a refill was free but it wasn't. I remember the look on his face as he scowled at the waiter when the check came. I remember going to the town parade with my sons. I remember barbecues with my parents. We all gathered under the large tree in the backyard and my mother always sat in the lounge chair. I remember pulling a chair close to her and holding her hand as we talked about the same things we discussed every day, but they always seemed new. The funny thing is that I do not remember last Memorial Day. My mother was still alive but I have no memory of that day. I guess I blocked it out as I knew it would be that last time she would be alive on that holiday and she was not doing well. I am glad that memory is not there because I would not want to relive it as I do the others.