Memorial Day

I read that Memorial Day is officially to remember those who died in the military service. I am grateful for those dedicated men and women who served our country! I don't know anyone personally who died serving our country. I always thought that this holiday was to remember our deceased ancestors. So, much of my thoughts were turned toward them.

As i think about having a little girl, i think about the things i want to teach her. One of the things i want  to teach her is who she is and where she comes from. 

My mom gave me a picture frame of my matriarchal line last year. It starts with me, then has a picture of my mother Jill, then a picture of her mother Yvonne (Bonnie), and then her mother Ruth, and then her mother Diantha. I love learning about these faithful women and i love knowing i come from them. 

The visits we took to various graves, was in a way, for baby Olive. 

We first visited my great grandma Ruth. She is buried next to her two husbands. Her first husband died of a heart attack at age 33. She was pregnant with their 3rd child. I can't imagine what a challenge that would have been. She remained a faithful and hard working woman. She went to work to support her 3 children. Years later, i am not sure how much later, she met Daniel, my great grandfather. He had also lost his first spouse, i am not sure how. But Daniel and Ruth were married and had my grandma, Yvonne Rae, although she was called Bonnie throughout her life. They lived in a small miners town called Dividend. My grandma said they grew up like hillbillies :) Ruth and Daniel are buried in the Bountiful Cemetery. 

Later in the day we went and visited my grandparents. I knew them. I love them. I remember staying at their house, eating Popsicle's, playing games, jumping on their tramp, and watching Shirley Temple movies. My grandpa died from heart failure when i was 11 years old. My grandma passed away 3 years ago. They were such good people! My grandpa served a mission in Brazil as a young man and then after retirement he and my grandma were called to serve in the San Paulo Brazil Temple. My grandma learned Portuguese! It was fun to hear her blurt it out every now and then. My grandma Bonnie was a school teacher before she had children and after the kids were all in school themselves. She taught for 20 years! She must have been a great teacher and loved what she did. I admire her. 

It felt very special to visit them with Charlie and Olive in the oven. Charlie wanted to do Ring around the Rosie on the grave. I imagined my grandma doing it there with him. 

I am so grateful to know that i will see my grandparents again. We are all connected and are connected for eternity. Their faith and righteousness throughout their life encourages me to do my best and continue their legacy. I want Olive to know these things and feel it as well.