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Writer's pictureEllen Skea Marshall

Feeling Nostalgic around Memorial Day

Feeling nostalgic on Memorial Day weekend-

This was the kind of day that ran through all of the memories of my childhood yet was building new memories for tomorrow.

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My oldest daughter, my grandson, granddaughter and I went to the cemetery in Saco to plant the Memorial Day flowers. First you should know that I, and I suspect, my daughter,  have always felt a sense of calm in this cemetery. It is huge, well groomed and has graves that date from the early 1800’s to now. I noticed that each time I visit I go down a different in-road that brings my eye past new stones, so it is possible that there may be some earlier graves that I haven’t discovered yet.


cemetary stones

I used to go dutifully with my own mother when I was a child- we would visit her parents graves, plant and tend the flowers, visiting from time to time throughout the summer and fall to tidy the flowers up. She visited often. I believe she truly missed her mother who died before my mother ever married.

So, we all went to my grandparents graves first. It is always a surprise to see that my grandmother was born in the 1890’s! My daughter prepared the earth by the stone (she is a farmer after all) and my grandson helped with watering using his own watering can. Quite sweet. I know that both of my daughters and my son are trying to make a mental note of just where this grave is so that they might tend it after I am no longer able. Like I said, this is a large cemetery and it is easy to get lost! My grandfather was a very stern man that we lived with until his death when I was in third grade.

cemetary

We went to my parents grave next. This time I did the tending- lots of work getting the earth to cooperate but I finally got the mixture of flowers planted , again, with my grandson’s help. Such a bittersweet thing, visiting my parents there-instead of at my childhood home not a mile from this place.  I do miss them and I think they would be so thrilled with how their own grandchildren are doing and would love their great grandchildren to pieces.


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Our lunch was at another childhood favorite on the coast, Huot’s – NOBODY makes clam cakes like they do- and as usual, they were delicious.


outside

After a long day I drove back to my own home but as I drove past a local campground it was the first time in the season that I could roll down the windows and take in that familiar campsite fire aroma, ahhhhhh. My family used to go on yearly camping trips, usually to Canada, so again, a flood of memories. We used a heavy canvas tent and slept on the ground on air mattresses and in sleeping bags. I envied the people with their campers but now have fond memories of that tent.


tent

As I arrived home a letter was waiting for me- my first thought was bad news because that is usually the only time I hear from my cousins wife..  I was delighted to find a short note  with this photo enclosed. A fabulous photo of my parents at the beach before they were married- so full of hope and promise.

mom and dad at the beach

So- happy memories to you and keep Memorial Day close to your heart- for now, I am building new memories and I hope is that you do too.

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