Saturday Morning Message: Mixed emotions about Memorial Day

Good morning,

This Memorial Day is unusual as many of us will be marking the holiday at home and not doing our usual activities, but we may run into someone who will wish us a happy Memorial Day. For many in our country, this weekend marks the first days of summer, which makes them happy. For those of us connected to TAPS, this day has a very different meaning.

This year, TAPS is sharing what we have learned about grief and loss with the civilians who are on the front line of the COVID-19 crisis with the resource "We Are All in this Together". To explain what this online site is, I turn to Bonnie Carroll, founder of TAPS, who wrote, “This will offer a collection of online resources that we believe will be helpful to millions of Americans.The lessons we have learned over more than two decades of work in grief and loss are also applicable to our first responders, healthcare workers, and all of our fellow citizens who have been affected by the isolation, fear, and loss associated with COVID-19.” Please feel free to share this link with your friends, family, your local healthcare workers and any others who may find it helpful.

Hugs,
Carol Lane
Mother of Bryon

Answers from Survivors

Responses from Survivors to last week's question: If someone were to greet you saying 'Happy Memorial Day' how would you respond? How have you responded in the past? Has your answer changed since your loss?

From Donna, mother of Eric: As a kid and young adult, I didn't know that Memorial Day was specifically for military deaths. My family always celebrated by putting flowers on our family's graves and having a cookout. I didn't know it wasn't just a reason for a three-day weekend. I don't ever remember being taught about Memorial Day in school, maybe because school was already out by the time Memorial Day came.

I'm never offended when anyone says “Happy Memorial Day.” I look at it as I'm happy that there is a day set aside to honor my baby. I also think people say things out of habit and without thinking it all the way through. I don't think anyone is trying to be mean by saying "happy."

I also don't take offense when someone tells me happy Mother's Day. His friends don't want me to be left out on Mother's Day, so they call and text and send gifts. When it's done out of love, respect and remembrance it's not offensive to me.

From Leslie, mother of Eugene: I used to nod or something ...one time I lost it and tried to politely explain that we honor the lives of brave men and women who passed away from various wars. This is not a happy occasion.

From Anne, mother of Michael: When someone says “Happy Memorial Day” to me I would say that for me and others who have lost a child in the military it is never a happy day and then I would proceed to inform them of the true meaning of Memorial Day!

Question for Next Week’s Saturday Morning Message 

Memorial weekend is a time when our country remembers those who have passed in the military. I thought it would be comforting to share stories of our loved ones, so the question this week is: What is a fond memory of your loved one? It could be a serious or a funny moment. We would love to read a memory of your loved one.

The Saturday Morning Message was created so survivors can share questions and read how others respond. I am always looking for questions and songs for future messages. If you would like to send a message thanking one or all of those who participated this week, send it to me and I will make sure it is sent. You never know how your words may touch the heart of another. I encourage you to reply to the Saturday Morning Message by emailing online@taps.org. In order to have your reply included the following week, it is best to send your response to me by Tuesday morning. Thank you to everyone responding this week and those who read this message.

♫ Song for the Week

This week’s song is from Robyn, mother of Michael, who wrote, “My song is ‘She Talks to Angels’. There are so many songs that remind me of my baby. He would wake me up in the middle of the night and we would go for a drive and listen to music. I miss him dearly; I felt my heart break the day he died.”

You can send me favorite songs for this song of the week section at online@taps.org and include a note about why the song is meaningful to you.

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