Remembering Mom 5/27/12 at OneTrueMedia.com

Today we remember our Mom on her birthday..

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Memorial Day

Memorial Day is officially celebrated on the last Monday during the month of May. Memorial Day is dedicated to service men and women who gave their lives for freedom and country. It is also a time to remember loved ones who have passed away. The roots of Memorial Day go back to 1865 and the end of the Civil War.
Memorial Day was traditionally held on the 30th of May. In 1971, Congress changed it to the last Monday in order to afford a three day holiday weekend. Regardless of the date, I encourage you to attend a parade, visit a cemetery to honor and remember our servicemen.  Take time to remember lost loved ones in whatever way you feel appropriate.

Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day. It was changed to Memorial Day in 1882. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day.

 It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day also marks the beginning of the gardening and summer seasons, even though summer will not occur for a few weeks later. It is usually marked by holding the first family picnic of the year.

Thank you, Cousin Charles Ray

I was going through an old photo album and came across a memorial clipping of my cousin, Charles Ray Humble. Charles Ray was a cousin on my Mother’s side of the family who was in the armed services during the Vietnam Era.

Charles Ray was a good Arkansas boy that served our country. I never got to meet my cousin for he was killed while saving others during a conflict at an air base. My family always talked with high praise of how Charles Ray served our country and died doing his job of saving others.

My Mom always spoke of him with words like special, dedicated, courageous and good hearted. I only saw pictures of Charles Ray in uniform growing up and as a young man in Southeast Missouri farm country; I wanted to be like my cousin.

I learned that Charles Ray’s name was on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC and the first chance I got to go there I made sure to find his name and photographed it for my mom. As I stated, I had wanted to be like my cousin but as I got ready to enlist, I realized I was not service material. I did not like anyone telling me what to do and when to do it. So instead, I went to college and majored in two areas that I would be able help others, Speech Disorders and Nursing, my own way of honoring my cousin, Charles Ray.

Charles Ray was just one of several of our family’s members that served our country over the years prior and past. We are very proud of each and every one of them for the service they provided to our country. I know this year as in years past, family members will be placing special arrangements at the grave of Charles Ray and several others in the next few weeks in remembrance of their service to us and our country.

While thinking of Charles Ray, I also started thinking of the many men and women currently serving our country in the many branches of the armed services. Many are far away from their loved ones and even though it is hard to say many may never see their loved ones again. That is the reality they all face when they join to serve our country.

Armed Services Day is the 3^rd Saturday of May, This is simply a day to salute sharply to all of the men and women in all branches of the service who protect our country and you. They can be called upon at a moment's notice to perform a risky and perilous mission for freedom and country. They train diligently both physically and mentally so they will be prepared to prevail in any mission they face.

Even if you don’t have a loved one currently serving in the Armed Forces, contact your local veteran’s organization and see what you can do to show your appreciation this Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. Many have programs that you can join to assist with those currently serving or a veteran who is in need of some companionship.

It really does not matter what you do as long as you do something to show those that serve in the Armed Forces, you appreciate their dedication and service to protect you and this country.

Thank you to all the men and women of our Armed Services and God Bless the United States.

LB

Lightning Bugs

I remember growing up on the farm in Southeast Missouri where every summer starting this time of year, we would sit outside and watch thousands of Lightning Bugs (Firefly). The family would gather after a long day of working the farm. I remember it being a great time in my life, family being close and life was simple.  As boys would do; we would catch as many Lightning Bugs as possible and smear the glowing bodies on our faces to play GI Joe Commando. My cousins and I would divide up into teams and start hiding in the orchard or corn field with water guns, working out way around to blast the opposing team and win our game of war.
This week as we sat outside of the Little House on the Bluff, it was the first time in years that I have seen so many Lightning Bugs. It was such a wonderful sight, relaxing and memory provoking. I truly felt that I have returned to area of the country that I can call home. 

So what exactly are Lightning Bugs (Fireflies)? They are members of a particular family of the Beetle Order. The Firefly Family is technically known as the Lampyridae.

Lightning Bugs are beetles. They can't be "flies" as their name suggests because "flies" are members of the Fly Order. Glow-worms, which produce light similar to Lightning Bugs', also are beetles, but they belong to a different though closely related family, the Phengodidae. There are many Lightning Bug species

Flashing Lightning Bugs are trying to attract mates. Among most but not all species of North American Lightning Bugs, males fly about flashing while females perch on vegetation, usually near the ground. If the female sees a flasher and she's ready to mate she responds by flashing right after the male's last flash. A short flash dialogue takes place as the male flies closer and closer, and then, if all goes well, they mate.

Man, if just half the bugs we saw this week found mates, it was a happy night on the bluff here in middle Tennessee.

Parents

I only have my Father at this time in my life. Mom past four years ago and a day does not go by that I do not think of that woman.  I may have had my issues with both of my parents growing up and as a young adult. I never stopped loving and respecting them as my parents or as intelligent individuals. As I grew Older and Wiser, I realized the man I had become was due to their earlier influence. You may move far away from your parents but in the end it all comes back to your roots.

I just spent three weeks assisting my Father with a medical issue and it was worth every minute to ensure his recovery and well-being.  My Dad knows that I am close by and willing to assist in any way necessary. He, of course, is from the generation that does not want help or want to ask for assistance.  I have to practically badger him into accepting my assistance at times. Thanks Mom for that ability…

As parents grow older, it becomes more important to spend as much time with them as possible. You have to become their advocate in medical issues because their generation tends to accept whatever their physician says to do without question. After the experience, our family had with Mom’s illness, I learned a few things as a nurse, case manager and son.

Physicians do not listen to their elder patients. I don’t care how wonderful the physician may be, how excellent their reputation, they really do not Listen. It is up to you to listen to your parent; you after all know them the best.   Check what medications they are taking, are they appropriate. Dad is not one to take medication so I tend to find bottles that are practically full when I check.  What I have found though is some physicians will just keep prescribing a medication without really discussing with their elder client.  What might have been necessary a year ago may not be necessary at the present.

Make list of questions in regards to medications, complaints that your parent is stating, research the internet for them.  Take the time to be at the physician appointment to ensure the physician is listening to your parent.

Yes, Dad is a stubborn Missouri Mule and the next medical crisis will be another fight of wills. He will just have to remember I take after my Mom and her side of the family...

Till Next time. LB