Day 67: Memorial Day -- A Day for Remembering

Today is Memorial Day--a day for remembering the men and women who have died in the service of our country and for family members who have gone before us. Since 1973, Buppa and I were" in charge" of cemeteries in our family. First, my Dad, John Keefe (in 1972) and then Nana Bertha (in 1983) at Saint Patrick's in Watertown. Auntie Margaret Bryant died in 1977 and is buried in Conway, New Hampshire with her husband Carroll and a dear friend, Josephine Pendergast. Then, Uncle Eddie White died in 1978 and is buried in Lawrence, Ma. with his mother, father (my grandparents) and other family members. He was an Army Veteran of World War 2, hence the plaque in the ground and the American flag that is brought by the local veterans' organization yearly. Each year, we would "trip" to Watertown, Lawrence and Conway---Buppa would edge and plant and I would water and pick up the grass clippings. In 2001, our dear daughter Marie (Auntie Ree) was buried in Salem and was added to our lists of visits. We also stop with a plant for Fr. David Delaney (a good friend to us all) also in St. Patrick's. As you will notice from the pictures, Buppa and I will be buried with my parents in St. Patrick's. We have worked through hot sun, rain and black flies, but have fond and sometimes sad memories of all the years of visits to each grave sight.