I thought I’d share some old postcards with you, in honor of Memorial Day, and maybe I’ll share a few thoughts too.
It’s overcast here this morning and I would really like to see a bit of sunshine. My mood tries its very best to mirror what’s going on outside, so if it’s gray and rainy, I tend to feel that way too. I suppose I’d never make it in England, that beautiful country. Or Scotland — where my ancestors are from and where I think I belong sometimes. Or even Washington! Maybe I better just stay in North Carolina. 
What can I do to cheer up? I will remember that there are those who are making greater sacrifices than I am today and it belittles their sacrifice for me to mumble over a cloud. I can put on a happy face. I can be brave and steady in my place.
I think after I click the button that says “publish” I’ll put on a new dress (a thrift store find, of course), put my hair up, get a fresh cup of hot tea and see just how many lines I can type today. Sigh, yes, I’m working today.
While I’m working, I’ll think about Prairie Tuesday tomorrow. It may spill into Wednesday due to other things being scheduled tomorrow as well, but that’s okay! I already have some fun things in store and it may take more than one day anyway.
Oh, the sad note on the back of this photo: Lebbaus last picture that he sent home to Mother.
I’ll try to remember others today and think of their struggles. Even while I’m working, I can have a prayerful heart. This weekend I’ve been writing letters to people I love. I’m hoping to mail them out tomorrow when the post office opens again.
I’ll leave you with a smile — this poor man caught between two fires. How in the world did he get himself into that predicament. We need to be careful with our affections, sir!
Have a lovely Memorial Day.
Lynn
The Fallen Soldier
Consider, my friend, the one who has fallen.
For life and its freedoms to him once were calling.
Now silent he sleeps, his destiny sealed.
He laid down his life on life’s battlefield.
In youth something called him to go and to serve.
His place he embraced with his zeal and his nerve.
Whatever the reason, whatever his claim,
the flag that he died for bears our country’s name.
While you have the privilege to go and to do,
to kiss your dear parents, tie your firstborn’s first shoe,
remember the fallen, the one who lies silent.
Remember his losses, get quiet for a moment.
Remember his father, his sisters, his brothers.
Remember his comrades and all of their mothers.
It’s a wrong in this country should the day ever dawn
when a soldier who’s fallen lies sleeping alone.
Stop from your doing, your shopping, your baking.
Stop from your busy life, the plans that you’re making,
and whisper a prayer to the One on the Throne,
for soldiers yet living or whose fighting is done.
Pray for their outcome, their cause and their lives.
Ask mercy from Him who our very life gives.
Remember the brave young soldier, now sleeping.
When he fell, forever still, it was us he was keeping.
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
This is a very timely post Lynn. The pictures of the WWI soldiers were sobering. We are reading through a US History text right now. It is easy to just read past the number of soldiers that were killed in each battle or war, but everyone of them was someone’s son or husband or brother. It is good to be reminded of that on a day like this.
Ken, I know what you mean. My sister spent some time in Germany and she said it was sobering to visit some of the grave sites over there where many Americans fell and are buried.
We need to do more history reading here. Now that we’re done with Hamlet, history would make for good summer reading.
Lynn
Thank you for sharing your thoughts friend. We do indeed have much to be thankful for and this was a good reminder. I’m so very thankful for the men and women who have served our country!
Thanks for the link on my blog. I’ll need to remember to show it to Rebecca! You are so sweet to remember that!
Love
Leslie
Dear Lynn,
Your thoughts are so true. We must continue to remember not just today but everyday that freedom does come with a price.
That every soldier is the son, or father, or brother of someone. They are not unknown faces but real people that were willing to answer the call and defend this country.
I hope the sun came out in N.C. for a little while at least
blessings,
lady m
ps: I will be doing a post tomorrow – hopefully – for Pioneer Tuesday.
lynn.. without a doubt this is my favorite memorial day post ever. loved the range of emotions shown in these pictures… and i loved your sentiments as well.
looking forward to hearing about your “prairie tuesday!” i was thinking about it this morning☺
Dear Lynn,
What a lovely post; old pictures have such a spirit about them, don’t they?
I hope you did get some sun, too. I think Someone wants to discourage all the Memorial Day parties!
The girls are working on some good prairie girl names for themselves, and then are going to write letters to your little princess.
Love,
Marqueta
Thank you, Leslie! I have to remind myself every day to count my blessings. I hope I’ve found the correct flower.
Lady M, it’s been overcast for a couple of days, but the sun did peep out from behind the clouds at me yesterday and it made me immediately brighter!
Diane, thank you! I’m going to try to put all of our Prairie Tuesday Lessons onto one page so that I can keep up with them and share them as we build on them.
Thanks, Marqueta! I love old pictures and postcards. There was something special about them. I wonder if future generations will say that about us? :/ Can’t wait to exchange prairie letters!
Lynn