Memorial Day Haroldsen Style
I have devoted all my free time and energy to our premoving preparations. So right now my blogs and visits are few and far between. However, this weekend is an exception. I have taken a break from my storting and packing duties to go with my Beautiful Wife and children to visit our other children (who have preceded us in moving to Provo.) This visit, of course is tied into our celebration festivities of Memorial Day weekend.
It all started with a very spoiling birthday dinner (for me) on Friday. Saturday morning, we got up early and headed to Provo. The Pirates movie was fun, because of my wonderful companions. The picnic dinner, which followed was great, because all the food was prepared by my Beautiful Wife and by my daughters (who learned to cook from my Beautiful Wife.) I gained ten pounds this weekend. Visiting with old friends at a wedding reception that evening was icing on the cake. My daily phone call to see how my dad is doing and our attendance at church and visit with My Beautiful wife’s mother and husband rounded out our weekend of family visits and family associations.
However, all thorough this weekend of family and friends, the magic of movies, and of food and festivities, I have been thinking of Memorial Day proper. My understanding is that Memorial Day was conceived as a time to remember the fallen soldiers of the American Civil War. By World War I, May 30 was designated as a day to remember all of our fallen soldiers. From those beginnings, Memorial Day has come to include all of our loved ones who have passed on, and is now celebrated on the last Monday of May.
So this weekend, in my idle moments when my mind can wander (mostly while driving the 400-500 miles of our travels), I was thinking of the diverse places many of my loved ones are buried. I have visited the graves of loved ones in Canada, Idaho, Utah, and California. I know of others far away which I haven’t visited. My parents are visiting our Idaho Cemeteries today, decorating the graves and remembering with fondness. I wish I lived closer so I could participate. My children grew up far from where any of our loved ones were buried. So they don’t know of our family tradition. I wish we could have passed on this tradition to them, but it didn’t happen.
So today, I am mentally back in my childhood home observing Memorial Day, "Haroldsen style”.
Memorial Day wasn’t always observed on a Monday. Traditionally it was on May 30th, no matter what day of the week it fell on.
When I was growing up, our Memorial Day routine was always the same. We only did the bare necessities on the farm, which would take us until about 11:00 am. By that time, we had feed everywhere it should be and all the eggs gathered that we could by then. While Dad and us boys were doing the farm work, Mom and the girls were packing away a first class picnic lunch.
As quickly as possible, we would come in from work, get cleaned up and head for Idaho Falls. Our first stop was always at Rose Hill Cemetery. Although I wasn’t even born when he died, Gary Kent was the main thing on my mind. As I stood looking at his grave marker, I could learn little bits and pieces about his life and how he died as I listened to Mom and Dad make comments. But Mom was always very emotional and Dad unusually quiet as we visited Gary Kent’s grave, so I didn’t ask too many questions. Even though I didn’t ever know him in this life, I missed Gary Kent and have always felt an empty spot deep inside, caused by his absence. I always thought of the fact that Gary Kent’s birthday was the day after mine, and that Memorial Day (when we went to visit his grave) was only four days later.
After our visit at the Cemetery, we would go to Tautphaus Park, for our picnic. Tautphaus Park almost adjoins Rose Hill Cemetery. So it was kind of like spending the day with our loved ones who had died.
No one could do a first class picnic like my Mom. There was always more food and more variety than even a hungry boy could possibly hope to conquer. Besides first class picnic areas, Tautphaus Park also had a nice playground area, a carnival ride area and a small zoo. So we had plenty to do, even as kids, for the rest of the day. Even though we would have to pay for our playtime by how early our next morning of chores on the farm would start, our Memorial Day picnics were always a highlight for me as I grew up.
So now I’m here at home, reminiscing about all those good Memorial Day memories and wishing that my children could have the same experience. We live hundreds of miles away from Rose Hill Cemetery or any other cemetery where family members are buried, so with the distance and my immediate family responsibilities, it won’t happen. Maybe next year. We’ll live a hundred mile closer to my childhood roots. Yes, next year I’m going home for Memorial Day. Children! Next year would you like to come along and help me celebrate Memorial Day Haroldsen Style?
Now that’s a tradition I’d like to be in on. No matter how you slice it, though, TX is still too far away, isn’t it? Next year, Ron, you can bring that wonderful childhood memory to your children! Have a great Memorial Day! Love to Vallerie and the kids!
That was a great blog. That is also a great tradition. I come from a long line of military people over the years. We have traced back as far as the Revolutionary War with family members who have fought in the wars up till now. Some have died and others lived through it but never forgot. My father fought in WWII and the Korena Wars. I wish that our family had some sort of similar tradition. We live in Texas and it is too far to drive to all the different places that they have been laid to rest. So we honor them every day in our hearts.
Well, Ron, came by to wish you a Happy Birthday. I see your family had a lovely time celebrating with you and a good Memorial Day weekend. I was pleased to find you had written a blog too. What a wonderful tradition you write about.
Hugs,
~Linda~
Good to see around – I imagine that May 30th was a date suitable to remember soldiers of both sides who had fought for their beliefs. In Britain November 11th is when we remember those who fell in both World Wars, and our soldiers who fell defending freedom throughout the Empire. Our Cathedrals and Minsters display the colours of their local regiments. Poignant reminders of those who lie in foreign fields. A belated happy birthday.
For the last five years, it has been a working holiday for me. It is our busiest time of the year. I’ve worked 36 hours since Saturday morning. Still, I’ve enjoyed the reminder of earlier years. Thanks for the memories.
"No one could do a first class picnic like my mom," huh? With Vallerie and your "kids" involved in your most recent picnic, I find that a LITTLE hard to swallow. You’re certainly a blessed man to have (and have had) such extraordinary women in your life. and they’re fortunate to have (or to have had) YOU!
Hi,
Thanks for coming to visit. I actually came to your site when you were featured by MSN. I have enjoyed your writings and you are very aptly named, Storyteller. You make history come alive.
I found your Beautiful Wife through you, and enjoy Vallerie and her bright spirit. Also, the warmth of your large family and doings draw me in.
When I was a child, I used to be fascinated with pictures of my ancestors; many of whom came from out east to settle in the midwest becoming farmers and teachers. I remember one time when we received a large box of casual pictures taken of my great grandparents and great aunts and uncles and my grandpa around age 13. All of a sudden they became much more real to me than the stiff posed pictures I had seen previously. The pictures were full length and showing them milling around on a picnic. Some were laughing. This all brought such depth to their personalities. I had heard little stories passed down about them before. One of my favorite treasures is a simple handwritten letter from my great grandmother as a young mother to her mother. She sounded so full of joy and wonder at the cute things her little ones were doing. She also told of the things she was doing from sewing curtains and children’s clothes to making her house a home. I have several pieces of her furniture that I treasure, also.
Take care…
Hi Ron, hope moving is going smoothly. You and your family have the most wonderful traditions for so many holidays and seasons of the year. The kids will have a blast and will experience a tradition to carry on and talk about to their children. I know my mom and dad still go to Rose Hills where Grandma and grandpa lay to rest. When I was little she would point out our Nana’s grave and we would put the flowers in the vase. I remember getting a warm feeling inside.
Great post….As a child I do not recall ever celebrating Memorial Day. The first time I went to a graveyard was when my dad died. I was 23 the and I don’t know if anyone has ever gone back to that cemetary. This was just not part of our families traditions. In fact I have never even been to my grandparents graves or seen them. I guess I never will. I am now thousands of miles away. So it is interesting to read about how different you grew up and the values you learned as a child. It sounds great… I always wished I liked like they did on the TV show "Little House on the Prarie" But we were city people when we were not being Indians. I grew up tore between two cultures…
Your feelings about Gary Kent brought tears to my eyes, it reminded me of my grandma, who I only met two times in my life, because I grew up very very far away from her. She died when I was in middle school. But she is the most beloved one of mine, of the whole family elders. I so relate to your empty spot deep inside, I feel the same. How I wish I could have spent more time with my grandma.
Hi Ron,
You brought back many memories. I always enjoyed Memorial day growing up and it was something I looked forward to. I felt a special closeness to those relatives who had died and would think about what they must have been like as I looked at the headstones. I have also felt bad that my children have never been able to experience a "Haroldsen style Memorial day". I have had a couple of dear friends who have died here and have thought about visiting their graves on Memorial day. As yet we haven’t developed any great traditions like I grew up with. Who knows, maybe next Memorial day we’ll join you in Idaho.
A very good walk down memory lane, once again. I now feel guilty that I didn’t carry on the Haroldsen tradition. It seems our tradition has become "All holidays are for working your tail off at home." Not fun at all.
HEY
daddy i wanted to write you and stuff so im going to tell you have a good day bye clarissa
The difference between traditional and fasionable celebrating style.
From your article,I read out that children in Peace Time lose something precious in mind.They,oh,no,We,We forget our fallen soldiers,we forget the hard days in the past.We always think the life should be so nowadays,easy and joyful.So we must begin to learn sth,to visit the grave,to see the old-time movie,to know from our parent.
Happy Belated Birthday.. Hope the moving is going well. thanks for sharing your memories about Memorial Days growing up. hugs, lottiemae
Now you will have to put a picture of your motorcyle on your site. Gas is rediculously expensive, a motorcycle will help save on gass $$$
Hi Ron,
Thanks for stopping by. I have been terrible about blogging lately and I don’t even have a move to blame it on. How is that coming anyway? I heard you’re getting a motorcycle. Drive safely. You’ll have quite the commute every day. Talk with you later.
Catherine
Hi Storyteller,
Thanks for stopping by. Have you had a chance to take your Beautiful wife out for a spin on that new motorcycle? It can be so much fun! I figure when the kids are older, I’ll get back on and ride. Go Granny!!!
Dave has pictures of every vehicle he has ever owned. One these times I’m going to post pictures of them. I enjoyed Kent’s blog about his cars.
Good luck with moving…
Hi Ron! Thanks for stopping by the other day. Like I was telling Vallerie, I haven’t had much time to leave comments lately, but I do come by to visit even if it means that I have to refresh the page 10 times to finish reading it through interruptions. I hope you all are well and get cozy in your new home before too long. You must be going crazy between work and anticipating the move. You’ll all do very well, I’m sure. Have a wonderful day, my friend.
Bubble wrapping the kids?? Funny. I could see how you’d enjoy a long motorcycle ride every day now. You’re not going to do that in the winter are you? I hope you do find more time to continue on with your book. Too bad you can’t drive on autopilot and do that during your commute. Are you going to move yourself or are you getting help from your new ward? Good luck with all of that. Don’t work too hard!
Catherine
2015 I am reading this again…thinking how sad it is that our children can’t experience the little joys we had and recognize them for the important things in our lives that they are. Funny how such days shape our souls. and form the people we become. Ron it is a pleasure to know the man who wrote about a part of a life well lived. How do we pass on the importance of such events?… And give to our kids the same kinds of feelings?… That you desire it as I do makes me feel like I am not the only one who has such thots…Thanks