Memorial Day Memories

 

This is not your typical memory of this day of the year.  No, this is my personal experience of this day and how George and I celebrated it.

PBS shows a National Memorial Day event every year.  It is broadcast on the eve of Memorial Day. 

George and I never missed watching this touching program, typically hosted by Gary Sinise and Joe Montagna.  We would sit in the living room or lay in bed watching it.  We would cry at the stories and celebrate the victories.  We would listen to the patriotic music, we would silent say thank you to those who served including our fathers.  I would remember my father when the Navy anthem was played.  George would remember his father when the Marine Corp anthem played.  Hoo – rah! 

Tonight, though, I sit alone and watch it.  As the show opened and Gary and Joe took the stage for this program which is different due to the COVID-19 virus, it is still the same.  I wept as I remembered how I used to spend this time honored tradition.  I miss laying next to George as we watched it on TV. 

As they replayed some of the stories and music from years past, I am taken back to those special moments in time.  Who would have known that 2019 would be the last time we would snuggle and watch, though at this time last year we were careful not to disturb George’s various “appendages” of PICC line to which he would have been receiving his nightly TPN solution, this belly wounds and drains affecting how we could snuggle.  But, right through the end of his life we could and would hold hands as we watched and wept with the world who together were watching this program and remembering loved ones – lives lost, victories won, survivors showcased. 

I miss my George this evening.  Miss this shared experience from our past.  I will continue to watch this program for years to come – as it is my personal memorial day not only for the soldiers who have and continue to fight for us – but for George who fought valiantly until his last breath.