A day to remember those we love...people who have influenced our lives in ways we will never forget. Named appropriately, memorial day is just that, a day to remember those who will never be forgotten. Memorial day is on the same "weekend" as my birthday. This makes memorial celebrations partically special to me. As I turn one year older I tend to reflect more on those I have lost and the traditions they have instilled in me.

Memorial Day Celebration is a time to remember those who lived before us and made our lives more meaningful. Sometimes it hurts to remember when memories are so close to our hearts and time hasn't had a chance to heal many wounds. I especially remember my parents who were my adopted parents, but yet they were the ONLY parents I knew, the only ones who raised me and took care of my needs. They took in this little 9 day old baby and gave her a good life and a background that she would never ever forget.

This for me is one of my most important memories on Memorial Day, a special time to remember those who gave up things for us, be it time to teach us something, money to buy our favorite candy or the extra effort to show us love. Even when we didn't feel loveable, they loved us anyway. We always had a place to turn to..our family.

Memorial Day is very much a family celebration for me. Though my parents have passed on, I will never forget the wisdom and love they instilled in me. I know have a family of my own, which includes four step-children, two girls and two boys. (ages 11, 13, 15, and 17) and when Memorial Day comes they are my family and help me to remember my adopted family. We usually go camping and while we are sitting by the glowing campfire, the children often say, "Remember when your mom saved us candy at Halloween time." Remember....... Oh, yeah your sister is the one who did that..." There is never a dull moment when it is time to remember.

And it is the remembering that keeps us living on when our loved ones have passed away.

They aren't gone, they are heaven together and on Memorial it is a family occasion to remember them.

We will never forget.

Learn more about this author, Kris Vaassen.
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