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Memorial Day

leanin' H

Well-known member
I took a minute to write some thoughts to leave for some really important guys. We will go decorate graves on Monday and I'll leave a copy in plastic at each Uncle's grave. Just wanted to share with ya'll. Hope you'll each take a minute to remember those who have gone before in your life. Aren't they wondeful. Weren't we priviledged to know them! :D

To My Uncles- May 2009

These flowers don’t seem like nearly enough.

I stand here though, and spend a few minutes to remember, to cherish, and to mourn.

I hope that you know that you are remembered, missed. I hope you know you made a difference.

I have though about you often and those thoughts never fail to make me smile.

Or cause a lump to lodge in my throat. And as I blink away the tears it is amazing how your voice comes back, sarcastic and teasing, and my tears turn into grins.

I enjoy my thoughts and memories of you. I hold each one close and treasure its value.

I am a better man because of you, because of your example, you courage, your love.

I try to live up to your expectations. To your standards. To your legacy.

When I find myself mired in the ruts or walking back to the truck with wounded pride and sore ribs, I ponder about how you’d face this challenge.

I think about your stories and experiences and I usually find the ray of light among the storm clouds.

You still touch my life.

Even though you’ve been gone a bit, you still mean the world to me.

And I share you still, with my kids, my wife, and my friends.

They know about you. They learn a little more with each of my memories. And they love you to, in their own ways.

I stand here at your grave and I marvel at a life well lived.

And I know that under this sod, beneath this granite, lays only the glove.

The hand, the spirit is beyond the breeze, beyond the sunrise.

I have felt it while riding the trails. I have felt it when the stars start appearing at dusk. I have felt it in trials and in times of joy.

And I feel it today.

As I stand here with these flowers.

And these tears.

Thank you for your love.

Thank you for your patience.

Thank you for the lessons.

Thank you for everything.

I am proud to be your nephew, your student, your friend.

I am honored to follow in your footsteps, though the stride is tough to match.

I need you to understand and know that I will never forget.

These flowers aren’t much in return for all you’ve given me.

But I’ll bring them, every year.

And I’ll smile.

Darrell Holden, 09
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
Remembering my father, who toiled on a catapiller for most of his adult
life in some terrible conditions, and dangerous places, I cried as well.
Thanks for taking me back to all that he did for me and for his
undying love. He served in WWII. I wish I had understood more and
took the time to listen harder. When he passed in 2005, even at my age, I felt like an orphan.

What a great tribute you gave to your uncle, H.
 
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