A Memorial Day (USA) Ramble

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Monday, May 25, 2020

Delta Pear Memorial Day
Composite of public domain images by Teagan R. Geneviene

It’s such a strange time.  Maybe that’s fitting in a way.  Memorial Day has always seemed like a rather confusing holiday.  A day in memoriam of those who served my country —  those who died in that service.  Yet it’s also a celebration that has come to represent the unofficial kickoff of summer fun.  Although people aren’t having much fun these days.  Yes, “confusing.” 

Despite all that, there’s one thing of which I am certain.  Those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and wellbeing would not want us to be sorrowful today.  That’s because they didn’t only fight for our life and liberty, but for our pursuit of happiness as well.

In the past several years things have changed so vastly from the world others sacrificed to preserve and defend.  With the COVID-19 pandemic, it changed even more.  As they say, what you resist persists.   So, how do we restore normality, or shift to a new positive, when negative changes are constant?  How do we resist those negatives without helping them persist?

You never change things by fighting existing reality.  To change something –build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete…
Buckminster Fuller

hand gray w Phoenix Rafael Moura Pixabay
Rafael Moura, Pixabay

From the ashes of our confusion, sadness, and loss, may something new and wonderful be born.  This is my hope and my wish for us all.

Whatever you’re feeling, celebratory, sad, or just confused, I wanted to send you greetings and a smile, from me — and all the passengers and crew of The Delta Pearl.   

A note:  You saw the strange flag in my image.  The USA didn’t always have a standardized way of representing the number and shape of our stars and stripes.  The one I chose was in use (although there was more than one being used) during the approximate time during which I imagine my fantasy, steampunk story. 

Hugs on the wing!

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2016 and 2020 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

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79 thoughts on “A Memorial Day (USA) Ramble”

    1. Welcome, Nitin! I’m glad you enjoyed my wandering thoughts. This post is as close as I ever bring my blog to politics, religion, or anything controversial. It’s a sanctuary, a safe place, for me — and for everyone to just relax, be whimsical and peaceful. Have a beautiful weekend. Hugs on the wing!

      Liked by 1 person

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  2. What a beautiful piece of writing dear Teagan, and I fully endorse your thoughts Teagan…
    That Quote.. ” You never change things by fighting existing reality. To change something –build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete…”
    Buckminster Fuller; ~ Just says it all…

    Sending you more hugs and hope you are well my friend.. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. Ah Teagan, you changed your routine and posted this on Monday. No wonder I didn’t see it until now when I came searching. A splendid post and I enjoyed seeing this version of your flag. I hope you had a splendid day on Monday. See you Saturday on the river.

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    1. You are so kind, Robbie. I had not intended to do a midweek post, but I was suddenly compelled to do that one at the last minute.
      Then I wanted to share Teri’s review, which you were wonderful to share. So I went from no midweek post to two of them. LOL.
      Yikes! I haven’t written anything for the Delta Pearl… Hugs on the wing!

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  6. The future is ahead, and like a sunrise it will be a new day.
    Your words are very honest. No wonder I like you!
    I’m waiting for our Saturday journey! Yet, another sunrise.
    Huggos!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Haha! Deborah, life has always baffled me, but I try to keep my sense of wonder along side the puzzlement. I really enjoyed your post about the squirrel. I’m starting to think maybe the strange one I saw (in my comment) was a rock squirrel… Thanks for visiting. Hugs on the wing.

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  15. Very thoughtful post Teagan. It is a confusing holiday. I still don’t understand how it became the “unofficial start of summer”. And this year….well every day is confusing! How are we supposed to know what our “new norm” will be when the norm during this pandemic keeps changing daily? I know things will fall into place eventually, but in the meantime it’s like being back in school studying for the Regents. Too damn much to learn!

    God bless all those who served, lost their lives and currently serve. And bless their families. “Thank you” is just not enough. 🇺🇸
    🐾Ginger 🐾

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    1. Agreed, Ginger.
      As for the summer part, I guess it’s the timing. I remember when I was a little kid, people my parents’ age said that when they were my age (then) school got out for summer at Memorial Day and didn’t start again until after Labor Day. We might have had to stay in school a couple of weeks into June, if there had been enough “snow days” during the winter. Technology changes, circumstances of the average family change (like both parents working is normal now)… so summer changes too, I guess. Have a peaceful holiday. Hugs on the wing!

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  19. Excellent post, Teagan. With the loss of freedom posed by COVID-19 I hope the sacrifice of those who preserved our freedom is more in focus. Freedom is a precious privilege that deserves to be protected and I think we all got a taste of what it is like to give some of it up. Hugs to you.

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  21. Thanks Teagan. This holiday has always stirred up mixed feelings for me due to its association with war. Maybe in our rebirth we can create a world that doesn’t use war to solve disputes. To peace, love, and hugs…

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  29. Thank you Teagan for these reflections. They are sensitive and thoughtful, and I apprecaite them. I was in the army during Viet Nam, and I had friends who sacrificed ther lives–good, kind young men who fell in battle in their prime. Thanks again for the post. Here’s hoping you’re well. My family and I are a-okay. and looking forward to summer. Best

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    1. David, I’m delighted to hear that you and yours are all ding well. Thank you for your kindness and support. I was very young during Viet Nam. I still remember sitting in the floor in the living room watching the nightly national news, gaping in horror at the death statistics. It made an impression that never left me. Yes, I’m well. Still working on my “Emily Dickinson” problems, which the virus made worse. I hope to one day be well in that sense too. Hugs on the wing!

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  30. I have been confused ever since I learned about this long weekend festivity. If we honor those people who lost their lives in war to save a country why do we celebrate? If we celebrate the beginning of the Summer instead, shouldn’t this day be called something else? As it is now, we really have nothing to celebrate. 😡

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    1. I understand, Valentina. Sometimes I vacillate from feeling many people are too “Pollyanna” (an excessively cheerful or optimistic person), to thinking they’ve no concept of what true hardship is, to feeling I will never leave my house again, to profound gratitude for instant noodles and a roof over my head.” It’s a difficult and confusing time. Yet I know my life would likely be so much worse if men and women throughout generations had not given their lives. So, I try to commemorate them on this day. And even when I am depressed, I try to find a moment of happiness, in their honor, because I know they did not sacrifice with the intention of making anyone sad. Hugs on the wing!

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    1. Thank you so much, Kim. I was in the moment. I should write that in my notebook before I forget I was the one who said it. I can imagine me spending hours, researching, trying to figure out who to credit. LOL. Hugs on the wing!

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  33. Great post, Teagan. We need a workable need paradigm. I’m not sure how that will happen in our current state of divide but we can hope and work towards new beginnings despite the powers that be.

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