Memorial Day 2017 with my family was really wonderful.
Part One:
While driving north to begin our adventures, we talked about the origins of Memorial Day, our cousin James Boles and his life and sacrifice, and where we were headed.
Part Two:
A picnic lunch with my 4th great grandmother, Maria Amanda Dolby Skeen at Lehi Pioneer Cemetery. This sweet little cemetery is just a grassy park surrounded by trees and a flowing irrigation ditch. There is only one marker sharing the history of the cemetery. We know that Maria is buried there. She was the mother of 9 children, 4 who pre-deceased her. She died in 1854 at the age of 36, leaving her husband with 5 young children. Maria and her family were Mormon Pioneers who experienced extreme persecution and were driven from one place to the next, finally traveling with the saints to what is now known as Utah. A few short years after their arrival, Maria passed away.
Part Three:
A few hours in the American Fork Cemetery. We had a list of ten of my husband’s ancestors to look for, and 16 little star shaped flags to post on any veteran’s graves that had no decorations. This year I couldn’t find actual flags so I had to make do with my Dollar Store find.
This little darlin’ was so fascinated by everything about the cemetery. He wanted to know all about every headstone he came upon. He was searching for “soldier headstones” and “B-E-C-K”.
He was so happy when he found his first “B-E-C-K” headstone. Of course I missed his huge smile and caught his explanation instead. 😉
Jacob S and Elizabeth H Beck, my husband’s 2nd great grandparents
With my camera in hand, I obviously had to photograph any headstone that caught my eye. I have a bundle to add to findagrave.
It was a lovely cemetery visit, to a beautiful cemetery, in a fantastic setting, on a perfect day.
Part Four:
We made some new family memories exploring the beautiful Cascade Springs.
Even the drive home was picturesque. The summit took us to an elevation of 8060!
It was a Memorial Day to remember.
Happy Wednesday! I hope you preserve a special memory today.
ps – Why do 15/almost 16 year olds insist on being ridiculous in photos? Sigh. My 19 year old recently told me I need to lecture his teenage brother and tell him to just smile for photos. Haha, he was the scowler/face maker not so long ago. A normal phase I suppose…