Memorial Weekend

We went up north on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and put flowers on my grandparents and great grandparent's headstones. Growing up we would always go as a family with my grandma Ella to visit our families headstones on Memorial Day. Whenever Santiago and I pass the town on our way up the 99 I always remark on how I want to visit my grandparent's headstone. I haven't been since we've been married. Thankfully this year my aunt was able to get a good amount of family together for this special tradition. It was nice seeing my extended family, especially since that is a rarity.

I think that all of us grandchildren had a special relationship with my grandma and grandpa, and my grandma Ella especially. We all told stories around their gravesite and reminisced about the fun we use to have. My grandma took me to Romeo and Juliet in the theatre when I stayed with her one summer. It was PG-13, and I felt so grown up...I made sure not to tell my parents. She always had candy at her house, made the best mashed potatoes and gravy, and no joke, fabulous english toffee.I hope that I can have that same special relationship with my grandchildren, so that they will have only fond memories of me as well. When I was a young child my grandpa Ray had poor health. He soon was put in a wheelchair and eventually a retirement home. I didn't have as much of a relationship with him, but I can remember little things, like his super strong grip, or how happy he was when we came to visit him. Because of strokes, he lost his ability to speak and could hardly move. But when we would come to visit him in the rest home he would smile so big, hold on to your hand and have tears in his eyes. Xavier Ray is named after him.

Both sets of great-grandparents were buried at a nearby cemetary.

My great-uncle Eugene was a famous bank robber in their area. My uncle and aunt knew alot of stories about him, and we enjoyed listening.


One of my cousins lives in a nearby town so we all headed to her house for a potluck. The cousins and 2nd cousins enjoyed playing together as we all chatted away.

I really enjoyed learning more about my ancestors, and I hope I can pass down those stories to my kids...if I can remember them all. Traditions are important, and this is a tradition that I hope keeps going.