In Memoriam

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Crashing Nightingale

Here it is, another three-day weekend coming up. The weekend to kick off all the summer weekends. Many cook outs and pool parties are surely planned for this up-coming weekend. But let’s not forget the true meaning of Memorial Day. The day for us to remember those that have lost their lives in many wars.

I love patriotic holidays. The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I love seeing the colors red, white and blue together, the fireworks and celebrations. Although Memorial Day isn’t necessarily in the top of my list of favorites (Halloween, New Year’s Eve and 4th of July are my top three), I do have respect for what it’s about. The act of remembering those that did not make it to through the other side of war came three years after the Civil War ended on May 5, 1868. The Grand Army of the Republic established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.

It was declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30th by Major General John A. Logan. Many states around the United States declared their cities as the “birthplace.” In 1971 it was declared a national holiday and permanently placing it on the last Monday in the month of May.

I grew up with a lot of Veterans. My father retired from the U.S. Navy, my paternal grandfather served in the U.S. Navy in WWII, and uncle on my dad’s side and now my youngest brother were/are U.S. Navy. Another brother was in the U.S. Marines and my maternal great-grandfather served in the U.S. Army during WWI. There are many more going back to the Civil War but those are the closest relatives. So I grew up around this environment my entire life. Always around Veterans and hearing so many stories of what happened while they served their country. Luckily all of those I’ve named survived with the exception of my great-uncle Lynn West who was killed-in-action (KIA) in 1968 during Vietnam.

So to remember and honor those that have died in service, take a moment to pause at at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”

Love & Lockets

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Crashing Nightingale

Lockets are one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. There has always just been something about them. For some reason, as a kid, I was fascinated by the fact that you could insert a tiny photo into the little case.

Lockets have been around for a while but have always served a one true purpose: to carry something sentimental for the one wearing it around their neck. Whether it was a photo, a lock of hair, a little love note, perfume or even ashes, it’s been the little keeper of our true love for centuries. It’s the piece of jewelry that has transcended through time and has never gone out of style.

These little keepsakes fascinate me in that they seem to have a story to tell or hold some little secret that is just hanging around one’s décolletage.

I love the idea of carrying a tiny photo of your sweetheart. Keeping your loved one close to your heart; always with you.

I recently found a locket that my dad gave my mom. His name with a simple message and the date are inscribed on the back. The date reads 12-25-67. I’m uncertain if this was a Christmas gift or wedding gift as they were married on December 28, 1967. I truly cherish owning this little love locket.

Do you have a locket with sentimental value?

My mom’s locket given to her by my dad.

Motherly Love

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Crashing Nightingale

Today is the day we celebrate the women that brought us into this world and/or raised us to be who we are. Whether the lady in your life is your biological mother, stepmother, a friend that has been like a mother, today is the day we think about them.

I’m fortunate that my mom is here as I know some do not have their mothers with them today. My mom is one of those people because her mother passed away when she was 25. It dawned on me today that my mom has spent 36 mother’s days without her her. It made me cherish the fact that I have celebrated 31 mother’s days with my mom and hope to spend many more.

This year we celebrate 100 years of giving thanks to the mothers in our lives. Mother’s Day was proclaimed on May 9, 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson. He asked Americans to give a public “thank you” on that day to their mothers and all mothers. See President Wilson below with his wife and daughters in 1912.

Recently I helped my mom clean out her garage and one would think this was a daunting chore that no one wants to volunteer for. But fortunately for me, my mom’s garage was filled with so much of my family history. I found so many family photos that it was somewhat overwhelming. So many pictures of family members captured in those brief moments of time. I took home with me many of them which I am sharing here. I truly cherish family photos. They are my most prized possession.

Below are some of the photos I found: