Gemma's first Memorial Day

in the Grease Pit with Daddy

Memorial Day is undoubtably the most celebrated holiday in the life of the little church in NY where both John and I grew up. Every year, they have a big picnic, invite friends from all over, and seek to have a Christ-centered remembrance service to honor our war dead.

Neither John nor I have missed a picnic since childhood! And now Gemma Grace is a part of the tradition, too. :) She may even be the first baby admitted into the "Grease Pit" ever! Leading the Grease Pit crew is one of the highlights of my dad's entire year, and now Gemma's daddy and Uncle Derek are faithful members of the few without fear of fire who gather each year to serve hotdogs and hamburgers and reap the intangible rewards of their service. ;) My part over the past several years has been adding calligraphed inscriptions to the simple plywood award plaques Dad gives out every year. I suppose you'd have to know him personally to understand just how thrilled he gets by this semi-serious, semi-military yearly leadership role.

I look forward to the yearly recreational softball game. Sweet John even packed me my Greenfield All-stars cap from 1998! So much has changed since then, as evidenced by how sore I'm now feeling after only a few innings of fielding, batting, and base-running! I need to get back into shape.

To the servicemen (and women) who defend our freedom as Americans without recognition every day of the year, we thank you.