In Remembrance

After two years, my Dad finally has a cross in Henderson's Central Park.

See, the American Legion Post in Henderson helps organize a Memorial Day remembrance in Central Park where a white cross is placed in the ground for every Henderson County resident who served in the armed forces and has passed away. The don't have to have died during a conflict, just have to have served. As a result, my Dad, a Navy veteran, is now represented in the sea of crosses.

As it stands, there are 3,800 or so crosses. And what an image that is.

So, this past weekend, I went home to remember my Dad. Actually, it isn't the only time I remember him. That happens everyday, but I wanted to be sure that his cross was there (it hadn't been the previous two years). And there it was. And it hurt to look at it.

But it usually hurts to think of him. Even thinking of the good times hurts because I know those are gone.

As a result the Duncan family gathering on Saturday hurt, too. But it was a good time.

Does that make sense?

My Dad has a large family, as you might have read about elsewhere in this blog. So the gatherings now require a large venue. This year? The local Knights of Columbus Hall.

That last paragraph made me remember something. Before this weekend, when anyone would asked what I had planned, I would say that I was going to a gathering of my Dad's family. But that's not correct. I actually went to a gathering of MY family on my Dad's side. What's so great about them is they really love each other, they care about one another, and since Dad's death, they have made every effort to make sure my Mom continued to feel like part of the family. And I think she does, and is so grateful for it.

Sometimes it's hard because my uncle Tony is almost a splitting image of my Dad. Of course, that makes it nice, too. But I love him for things other than that. I love them all and hate I don't see them that often.

It's just a really great family. I wish I were closer to them. It would be nice to see them more often.

But even being so far away, it's great to know that I have them.