Saturday Morning Message: Looking Back on Fond Memories

Good morning,

TAPS has partnered with national experts, international leaders and organizations to focus on global issues impacting everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic. The TAPS COVID-19 Resource Page includes information on coping with grief and loss; health and wellness; and tips for parenting and youth during the COVID-19 crisis.

Hugs,
Carol Lane
Mother of Bryon

Responses from Survivors to last week's question

What is a fond memory of your loved one?

From Annette, mother of Joseph: We have been trying to celebrate Joe's life and remember the good times and funny stories of which there are many. Just the other day his sister Lauren and I were laughing and telling the story of when he was about 3 years old. We had an above the ground pool with a deck around it and a ladder that swung up and locked. However, since Joe was such a daredevil and loved the water so much we had him wear a tube which was bright orange and attached to a tank top. We almost never took it off of him except to go to sleep, because we knew if we ever forgot to put up the ladder or turned around for a minute, he would be in that pool. We have pictures of him eating and playing in it. It was a part of him for an entire summer.

From Kim, spouse of Milton: My favorite summer memories with my husband, Milton, are grilling in our backyard with a glass of tea and his (as he called it) best BBQ’ d chicken in the world. He did the chicken and I ended up doing everything else that went with the meal. We would spend time together just talking and enjoying. The quiet times like these are the ones I cherish most.

From Leslie, mother of Eugene: I came home from a long day and went to see what each of my sons were up to. Andrew was busy with homework. Eugene's room was a mess and he was waiting for me to annoy him with regards to homework (high school). I saw small bags on the floor, and they were moving. I asked him about it, and he told me that I was just tired and seeing things. I again asked him, and he gave me the same answer. So I went to step on one of the bags. He got protective of the bag and begged me not to move. In each bag was a baby snake: a python, a boa and a king. I wasn't happy, but what could I do? I sent him out to get tanks and a book about snakes from the library and told him to make sure they lived. He was shocked and quickly went on the errands. They did live many, many years. And I still don't know why I didn't get a “mother of the year” trophy!

Question for Next Week’s Saturday Morning Message 

You have made it through the week as our country honors our loved ones around Memorial Day and also the time of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now you deserve to take some time for yourself. So this week’s question is: What do you do to treat yourself? We look forward to reading your ideas. 

The Saturday Morning Message was created so survivors can share questions and read how others respond. Questions for future messages are always welcome and can be emailed to online@taps.org.  In order to have your reply included the following week, it is best to send your response by Tuesday morning. Thank you to everyone responding this week and those who read this message.

♫ Song for the Week

Fay, mother of Eric, sent the song for this week. Fay wrote, “I can’t help but smile, laugh and cry all at the same time every time I hear,"Don’t Stop Me Now" by Queen. I just love, love, love listening to it. Eric sang this at a karaoke bar while stationed in Japan. He had quite the chops!” 

You can send your favorite songs to online@taps.org and include a note about why the song is meaningful to you.

Share Your Thoughts

If you would like to send a message thanking one or all of those who participated in this week’s Saturday Morning Message, send it to online@taps.org and your thoughts will be passed along to them. You never know how your words may touch the heart of another.

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