Friday, May 25, 2007

Memorial Day, 1969

I was born on May 30th, 1969... Memorial Day.

Growing up- I always knew that my B-day was a holiday...and I knew it had nothing to do with me. In 1971 Congress passed a law that Memorial Day would become the last Monday in May- rather than May 30th, the original day that we honored our soldiers who had died.

But the day I was born- May 30th, was a friday...and it was Memorial day. My dad was shipped out to sea for 6 months, 12 days after I was born.

My Great Uncle Hubert Crill was on a ship in Pearl Harbor when it was attacked.
He related the events of that day to me 12 years ago. I wish I had video of his account of what happened. He was scared to death, and fought, and lived to tell me the story.

My Grandfather fought in WWII
My Uncles fought in Vietnam.
My dad was on a sub for 4 years.


Take a moment today to remember our soldiers...both those who have passed, and those who walk among us. They are the real treasures of America... a reason to celebrate :)

_________________

I had lunch with a blog friend today- a special man who we know as "Greg the Gardener" http://gregsgeneralstore.blogspot.com/-

I guess I've been reading him for a few months now- his blogs are personal, and sensitive, quiet, and peaceful. I enjoy reading his posts, but the real joy came in meeting him.

If you ever travel south down I-95...let him know. You will meet a prince of a man in everyday clothes- he is kindhearted, a good listener, and someone you will enjoy the presence of. Thank you Greg- our meeting was the highlight of my day today :)

____________
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SOCCER DAD AND A SOCCER MOM:

Tonight I am in Jacksonville Florida- and there must be 50 kids here because of Soccer tournaments. These are some of the best behaved and polite kids I have ever met. Their dads are diligent, focused, and present. It's a pretty awesome thing to see-

But...

While I was in the hot tub tonight- a dad came out with his son to the pool. The kid only had about 10 minutes to swim- and the whole time the boy was in the pool- his dad was asking questions like, "Son, what are 3 things you think you could do to improve your game tomorrow?"
Or, "Think about your game today son...where did you fail...where could you improve?"
And, "Son...how are you going to play tomorrow?"
Son: "I'm going to play better!"
Dad: "How are you going to play better?"
Son: "I'm going to focus!"

and so on...and so on...

Finally- it was time for the boy to go. He kicked his ball, and it splashed into the hot tub where I was (and dad said, "Son, don't kick the ball in the pool area!")

The boy, who was no more than 12 or 13, walked over to where I was to get his ball.
And I said to him,
"Son, I hope you have FUN tomorrow"
He stoppped, paused, and looked at me, and said,

"Thank you, Ma'm".

Heavens...I hope he does have fun tomorrow! His dad was a good dad...and to be sure- I am a good mom, regardless of whether a kid is mine, or not.
_____________________

This was my view, at the pool, of the Umbrella- all the water dropletts looked like jewels.


Me and Cabo's cousin/brother/distant relation-
his name is "Wabo". Click on the Scary Monster if you don't understand this :)


This photo is for Kate- who likes black polish! :)
Mine is a deep shade of Pink, or a lighter shade of red...you decide! :)


And yes- the pink bag, and pink cup are mine... the Black Velvet with Diet Pepsi was lovely! :)


15 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks like you are having fun times. Here's to more *raises his silver cup*.

Greg C said...

The pleasure was all mine Cora. Yes anyone traveling by please stop and say hello. I hope you liked your good luck charm.

Greg

puerileuwaite said...

"On this date, May 30, 1969, a day that will live in infamy, FM suddenly and deliberately entered the world. It hasn't been the same ever since."

- The Pug (channeling Franklin Delano Roosevelt)

Notable events since FM's birth:

1) Watergate
2) Vietnam is lost to the Commies
3) The Gas Shortage
4) The Recession
5) The Iran Hostage Crisis
6) The Iran-Contra Scandal
7) The First Gulf War
8) The Clinton Scandals
9) George W
10) The Iraq invasion
11) The Dot Com Bubble Burst
12) Diet Rite stops selling their White Grape and Tangerine flavored sodas featuring Splenda

I'm not saying FM was directly responsible for these events, it's just a coincidence, that's all. Worst case, a sort of "butterfly effect".

Happy birthday.

:-)

Aunty Belle said...

Hey thar' Missy MAyden....youse on the way---hooray!

My Daddy was at Pearl HArbor too. In fact, I think I did a post on it last year. Blessins' on all our military folks.

Bone said...

I wanna be there! Oh, I'm so ready for a beach trip!

No lifeguard on duty. Be careful :)

Scary Monster said...

Happy B-Day, Mrs.C. You actually took Wabo with you, cool.

Here are some things the Pug left out;
Disney World opened
The Hite report was published.
(Me met the lady when me were a teen, WOW!)
People wore earth shoes and owned pet rocks.
John Belushi taught us how to appreciate college.
ET phoned home.
Sandra Day O'Connor, rocked!
and Nancy Reagan, Just said No!

Scary tends to say Yes! and Yum! and Yowza, look at them pretty toe nails.

STOMP.

And that were all before you were a teen

boneman said...

HBTY
HBTY
HBDC(MV)
HBTY
AMM

ps, do not read till the 30th

The Grunt said...

Well, happy birthday come Wednesday, Mayden!

The Phosgene Kid said...

Have a nice memorial weekend...

X. Dell said...

Frankly, I'd rather look at your painted toes then that asparagus you guys were talking about.

My paternal grandfather was born on May 30, 1900, so we always celebrated his birthday. I had two uncles in the armed services, one still alive, the other not. It's not difficult to remember either of them.

(Things I've Learned in this Life the Hard Way, Lesson 13,024: If your uncle's in the Marines, never let him cut your hair.)

I've known quite a few service people in my life, and have always listened to their experiences enthusiastically. While some entered the military partly for other reasons (to avoid jail time, for better opportunities, for a chance at a college education, etc.), virtually all of them had a genuine belief that they enlisted out of a sense of duty.

My sense of duty to those who have served in the military, however, goes beyond platitudes on a single day of the year to doing something that does not force them into harm's way for empty ideological reasons.

Lady Prism said...

Mayden...this thought just came to me...I'd forgotten already...my father was an American soldier too..

Happy Birthday my dear friend..I miss you.

Jacob said...

Imagine The Boss singing:

Boooorn...on memMORi-al day....I was Booooorn....on memMORi-al day......

Happy Birthday, dear wonderful friend! G

Jacob said...

(in two days, i mean. although, today is your birthday too if you think of it like that....)

Little Lamb said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

darkfoam said...

happy birthday to uuuuuuuuuuuuu
happy birthday to yyyyyyouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
happy birhtdya...ech...
i'm to tired to go on...
glad you had a great time.

i have shitloads of relatives who have served in the military going waaaaaay back.
and i live with one who has served..