Memorial Day Memories
This weekend is likely to be quite difficult. The family and I are in Sarasota to participate in a ceremony to “unveil” the headstone (or matzevah, which means ‘monument’) on my father’s grave. Given my father’s service in the Korean War, it seems particularly poignant to have the ceremony this weekend.
As I mentioned, today is my younger son’s birthday. Although I said earlier that it is good that we will be able to celebrate this happy occassion as a counter to the challenges of acknowledging my father’s passing, I am feeling somewhat ambivalent about the celebration today. I just hope my son does not feel as if his birthday is a side note to events of this weekend; it is not. We have taken steps to make sure we do fun things today so that he can feel celebrated. Of course, we’ll still have a party in a couple of weeks, when we’re back home, so he can celebrate with his friends, but there is something special to celebrating one’s birthday on the actual day!
If you the time and energy, please feel free to send positive energy, prayers, thoughts, song, etc. to my step-mother, Arlene; to my siblings, Marjorie, Chip, Diney, and me; and to the rest of the family and friends, both here and not, who are remembering my father, Ed Hamburger. Please send happy, celebratory thoughts to my youngest son, that he may enjoy his birthday and feel loved and so he will continue to grow into the exceptional young man he has become.
Finally, please take time to remember and honor the men and women, from your own family and others, that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the United States.
Thank you!
Merle
Just letting you know that people are reading your blog…sometimes I catch up on numerous entries months later.
Your passion for life is infectious! Good work in Washington, sounds like it was a very positive experience. See you in August!