"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience." Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006

Monday, May 26, 2008

Memorial Day 2008

Tonight for Family Home Evening we went and took flowers to Grandma Betty's grave site. We talked about eternal families, and what kind of choices we need to make while we are here on Earth, and if the kids thought we were on the right path so far. We also talked about how lucky we are to be sealed together as a family. I love my family so much.
One memory we have of Grandma Betty is that she loved to collect coins. She had started collecting the state quarters before she passed away, and when we got there tonight there was a row of quarters that family members had left for her. We thought it was so sweet. Brian added a couple of quarters for the states that weren't there yet.
There's just something special about Memorial Day that makes me want to hug and kiss my kids and husband all day long. It also makes me feel such gratitude for the legacy of good family members that have already passed on. I can't wait to see them again someday.

20 comments:

crystal said...

How sweet! Memorial Day IS a special day; I have an aunt who died a few years ago from cancer and another aunt who died the month I was born. I always think of them on Mem Day and send them a private "hello." :)

You are so on the ball with FHE! I swear, we haven't had a decent family night since I've been pregnant. Tonight we watched "Star Wars" and cuddled on the couch.

Yep. WENDI talks with her kids about eternal families and does a self-inventory. CRYSTAL watches Star Wars and eats Reese's cups.

Go me.

Wendi said...

Hey, we did watch Star Wars together earlier today. And we had Reese's. We're totally on the same wavelength.

Jenn said...

It's me again. I just have to tell you I love your blogs and thank you for your comment on mine. Funny how life works because as I read your blog today and some old posts you had there were some things that I really needed to read today, the funny thing is I don't remember posting a comment on your blog (I am sure I did) I am new to this blog thing and tend to just follow one link and then another it is very addictive. So thanks for posting a comment on mine so I could find you again and find all of your blogs. I might even be calling about putting my daughter in tumbling for the summer.
Have a great day

Emily said...

I would have loved to be in Utah so that I could have gone to my dad's and brother's gravesite. It has been years since I was there but I think of them on their birthdays (May 25th and Aug. 12th) Memorial day, Christmas and many days in between. It is a great blessing indeed to have the gospel and to be sealed to our family members for eternity. That knowledge gives me a different perspective on life and the trials we all face.

donna said...

what a nice Memorial Day you had. It is a wonderful blessing to know that families can be forever:)
HAve a great day :) and enjoy your family.........

Michelle Alley said...

What a wonderful day and a great way to celebrate your family's history and past. So glad you had a beautiful day!

ann said...

I love Memorial day also!! It always is a nice time to reflect on our loved ones and to appreciate the legacy that they have left us! Glad you had a great time with your family!!
A-

SuperCoolMom said...

We watched Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix while we ate our Reese's for FHE.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Love the quarters! Great idea.
We had a birthday party big get together! Lots of people and lots of food and lots of fun!

KATE said...

Love Memorial Day, there are SO many great people to remember! What a perfect FHE!!

raising4boys said...

You always have the best family night ideas. I love that you talked about eternal families. That is great!!

Each year at easter we put empty easter eggs on my grandma's grave to remind us of Christ's empty tomb. (she died right before easter that year)

That reminds me, I want to take my boys to the Salt Lake cemetery sometime to see the prophets graves.

Cecily R said...

Jon doesn't like to visit his dad's grave (I don't know why really, and I don't know if he knows either), so we kind of avoid grave visiting.

Its wonderful though, that you make it a day to remember your famiy's legacy and stories about people. Maybe if I convinced Jon that's what its about he'd be more willing to go.

Lynell said...

What a great lesson you are teaching your kids. You are so right, nothing is more important than families.

Wendi said...

I am not sure why this did not show up on my reader...

You always have the best FHE ideas. What a great lesson for Memorial Day. I think you should plan your lessons a year in advance and you should post them so we can all steal your fabulous ideas.
You are leaving a wonderful legacy for your own family.

Tip Junkie said...

What a wonderful experience you gave your children. Beautiful.

Jen Tornow said...

That's so sweet about the quarters! You guys are such good parents!

Cara @ Gardenview Cottage said...

What a great idea! I need to do this with my kids at the cemetary so my kids will remember my parents. Thanks!

Holly said...

That was an excellent way to spend Memorial Day and FHE. The row of quarters is very touching.

tammy said...

Love the quarters! I wish we were visiting Utah so we could've actually gone to the cemetary where our family members are buried.

Lauren in GA said...

What a WONDERFUL Memorial Day and Family Home Evening Activity :)