What brings us together?

I didn't always love Memorial Day. When my father was buried I didn't think I would enjoy visiting his grave. I knew his spirit wasn't there, so why go? I have realized over the past 8 years that what is there, is his name. A stone carved to memorialize his body's resting place and to mark his life lived. On a beautiful stone our son Jacob can read his middle name and feel connected to Grandpa Ron, who he never in this life knew. Last year we discovered Johnathan’s maternal ancestors in the Betts/Picco line rest in the same cemetery as my Father. Very near to my Fathers grave my friend Alan's stone lays. Visiting stones has brought Alan’s sister Amy and I together two years in a row. Amy's portrait of our family brings us together with you.
This is what brings us together, living and dead. Remembering the past and making more memories to last a lifetime. As we spend a moment in the present to clean a stone that memorializes a fallen hero, and teaches our children to look to their heritage. Hoping they will choose to take care of the stones to come.