Remember When.
Remember when we used to celebrate Memorial Day right here in our small town? This was a blogging exercise about nostalgia. Every Memorial Day, I take my daughter to our small town’s proud Memorial Day parade.
Remember When
We live in a small town within a large city. We have our own zip code and downtown, but we are also proud Northampton residents. I feel the need to say this because I often feel caught between both. I can tell you we live in a New England city and I would be correct. I can tell you we live in a small town and that would also be correct. We’re nestled within this grand place – we have our own Main Street, our own diner and our own Soft Serve with lines stretching out into the sidewalk. We have our own post office and multiple pizzerias and coffee shops. A little grocer or two, and both lunch hour and rush hour traffic. We are both country and city at once.
We have our pride.
My daughter goes to the parade for the candy. This particular parade is quite generous with that – as schools and scouts and veterans and emergency workers all march for Memorial Day – tossing out hats and pins, lollipops and tootsie rolls. My daughter is a sugar fiend and there’s nothing she likes quite as much as being pelted with candy..except receiving the flag. Every Memorial Day, a veteran marcher spots her cuteness in the crowd and rushes to the sideline to adorn her with her own American flag. She has a collection.
I often assume she’s still too young to know what Memorial Day stands for. I don’t know how to talk to her about having to fight and defend our country. I forget what she already knows – her beloved fairy tales feature war. Fights over land and castles and beliefs.
Someday soon, I’ll tell her about honor and respect and selflessness. Someday soon, I’ll tell her about real-life heroes.
She’s piecing it together more and more, each year.
*Your post does not have to be Memorial Day related, but it should be one of your older posts that you’d like to revisit and share!*
We're linking up right now! What a fantastic link up! YAY! –The Dose Girl
I love that S loves flags as much as Malone does. Proof that they are destined to be life long friends. Happy long weekend friend. xo
Thank you so much for the kind words and the mention, Tamara! :)My youngest loves flags, too. He spots them everywhere.I love the way you describe your town – city and country all at once sounds just perfect! The best of both worlds!
{Melinda} I used to live in a small, rural town when I was in high school and we had parades like that … I love that! I miss that small-town feel where neighbors were close.
I want to move to your town – sounds like the perfect combo of city and country. Have a great holiday weekend, Tamara!
Your town sounds wonderful! Such a fun link up. I can't wait to hunker down and start reading. 🙂
Your town sounds so awesome, like the perfect place to raise a family! I live in Katy, TX right outside of Houston, TX and I still get to have the best of both worlds, too! A little bit of big city and little bit of small town all in one! P.S. This link up is so cool. I'm adding mines right now!
Sounds fun. Have a good time at the Parade. 🙂
I just linked up! I want to spend Memorial Day in your town! It sounds so lovely! I still can't believe your sis is one of my favorite DJ's. What a small world!
So glad you linked up! And that made my day. What a nice twitter discovery. My parents have photos of her as practically a baby and she's wearing DJ headphones. A lifelong dream you're listening to on the radio!
I think it is so important to teach our wee ones about the men and women who served to keep us free. You're doing a great job immersing her not only in the fun, but the meaning behind it
I think you're so right – I can remember learning pretty young. Maybe I didn't grasp all of it but the important parts were figured out..
Your town sounds wonderful!
It is! It's very unique. I've found a lot of great ones out there but this one got my heart first.
happy memorial day!have a good time at the parade.looking forward to seeing your baby animal photos!
Thanks! I think it will be puppy pictures on tonight's blog and Memorial Day pictures and baby animal ones coming!
Thank you! Looking forward to it!
Oh, I know Katy! I used to work in inside sales and my territory was Houston. I'd go to visit my outside sales rep and discover all parts of the cities, and surrounding areas.
I still have to finish them! I've been away this weekend but today is a nice blog reading day.
Yay! So glad you joined.
Thank you, Dana! Come along anytime!
I love seeing familiar faces literally everywhere you go. Even when you're trying to lay low and you're wearing your pajamas to a tag sale and you run into people you know and then go to breakfast like that.
I was happy to mention your post! It made my day. Have a beautiful day!
You as well! And today is so beautiful – we earned it.