Memorial Day

Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, is a U.S. holiday honoring the dead of all wars.  It originated in the South after the Civil War when the graves of both the Confederate and Union Soldiers were decorated with flowers.  Currently, we honor all military personnel living or dead who have served. 

                                            

My Great Uncle Stanley was a soldier in WWI.  If you've seen the movie Sergeant York, you might recognize the uniform Gary Cooper wore.

 

My Dad served during WWII, a war where every family had those who served in the military.  

 

 

I am extremely proud of my niece, Chantelle, who served during the Gulf War. 

 

 

My own husband, Duane, served during the Viet Nam War, unfortunately all photos of him during that period have been lost to us.

 

 

My Dad's WWII unit captured a Nazi flag.  (He's 5th from the left.)  The solemnity of the day seems to have been forgotten, until we once again review the reasons we have gone to war.  Freedom, Freedom, Freedom!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Grandmother...Grandma....G-MA....Grandma Schel

How did I become a Grandma?  Wasn't I just a new mother wondering what to do when my baby cried?  Babies don't come with manuals----although I did refer many times to my Dr. Spock.  Now, I guess he is out and other techniques are in, so once again I had to learn how to care for a new baby entrusted to me.  I think it is much scarier when the baby belongs to your son or daughter.  Plus, you are not there witnessing each small change in the child's habits.  Therefore you must go through a readjustment period whenever you babysit.  All in all, however, as with your own children, being a Grandma has fabulous perks and rewards......

 

Who needs a stand up comic, when you have a grandson?

 

 

 

Then there are the moments that take your breath away...

 

 

You find that all granddaughters, regardless of their parents, look like sisters.

 

 

When they dance, you are enchanted.

 

 

They love their hats, just like Daddy does.

 

 

They enjoy going to lunch with you.

 

 

They love your pool.

 

 

You can vacation with them.

 

 

Dolls become part of the family.

 

 

Every photo is pure joy.

 

 

And before you know it they are graduating!

 

 

All I know is that I love every single minute of being a Grandma, or a G-Ma, or a Grandmother or Grandma Schel.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to All the Moms Out There

Mother's Day is such a special holiday.  Mothers who give so much love, attention, and devotion to their children are truly angels on earth.  My Mom was one of these----and I miss her every day.

 

Here she is on their farm in Indiana with Heather.  She just adored her grandchildren.

 

 

Here is Mom with my sister's daughter, Chantelle, and her sister Josephine.  Aunt Jo, as we called her was also like a mother to my sister and me.

 

 

When Heather got married, I was so happy that my cousin Mary Ann attended.  She and I have always been like sisters.  Her mother was another of my Mom's sisters---Aunt Tillie.

 

 

My sister, Darlene and her daughter, Chantelle came to both Heather's and Adam's weddings.  This was no small feat since they live in Indiana and the weddings were in Dana Point, CA and the country of Belize.

 

 

It's always such a blessing when your own daughter becomes a mother.  Love, Love, Love, those grandkids.  Heather has become the best mother ever!

 

 

A very special mother came into my life when I married Duane.  Kim, our daughter-in-law has raised two of the most loving and caring daughters ever, and I am thrilled that now they are my granddaughters.

 

 

And a very special tribute to Duane's mother, Mary.  I would have loved to have met her, and to thank her for doing such a good job of raising the wonderful man who is now my husband.  Just between you and me-----I'm sure it wasn't easy  :)