Happy Memorial Day!

Bumping from Memorial Days in the past....

This year the kids and I will be chilling together since Al is stuck working.

Just like last year.
And the year before.
:(

*Memorial Day 2006

*When I think of Memorial day, that is usually the first memory that comes to mind. Growing up we'd all haul over to Pop-Pop K's house for a big, family picnic. It was one of many "K" family traditional get togethers. But, for me, it was one of the best. I mean, sure, Christmas had all the gifts and Easter had the egg-dyeing and the baskets chock full of candy. Memorial day, though, that was like the kick off to summer. The 'big kids' would play wiffle ball and the 'little kids' would just run around getting in the way. Pop-Pop would faithfully man the grill while Dad and Uncle Skip caught up and handled "cousin conflict". The great aunts would sit in their assigned seats and talk to kids as we flew by.

Years have gone by and some traditions have faded. It got me thinking about "Memorial Day" and legacies. Our nation has a tremendous legacy of soldiers making the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and protection. I am the child of two veterans and the grandchild of one, too. This legacy that continues to be written in our nation and our family, even today. Thank you to those who have served and those that continue to serve our country today!

This Memorial day weekend I also found myself reflecting on our family legacy. The "K" family has yet to acquire great fame, riches or material wealth. Well, there is that one Fantasy Football trophy and anyone who knows our family understands that it is definitely part of our "legacy". However, for the most part, the "K" legacy is far more about our family and shared faith. Mostly, when I think of our legacy, I think of our Spiritual legacy.

My grandparents, for all their quirks, raised their children to love and serve the Lord. On Monday, all the local "K" family will travel to PA to celebrate a special first birthday day, Memorial day, and in part, our legacy. Josh will be surrounded by a gaggle of Uncles and Aunts, all who continue my grandparent's legacy. We've each grown up in the Lord, married spouses who love Christ and have determined to pass that legacy onto our children. Josh will play with all the cousins, like I did growing up. Each one growing up in homes where God is alive and centric. For as many who are there on Monday, there's even more who can't be there. Josh has 8 cousins (and one more arriving any minute now!) that he sees regularly who share in the legacy of the great-Pop-Pop most of them never had a chance to know. It's my hope and prayer that each of those cousins faithfully continue that great legacy (& the tradition of bbq).

Pop-Pop K in 1976.
(I can't imagine who that fussy child might be...)

Have a Happy Memorial day, everyone!