#chezmadame was suitably patriotic for Memorial Day. OK, so we didn't get the flag bracket installed by the door but we improvised. Steve always hung the colors along with the Marine Corp flag on significant holidays or the Marine Corps birthday (November 10). Trying to honor that tradition. . . but I forgot to bring them in at sunset last night.
With all my big talking about being bold and brave and strong, I couldn't make the trip to Fort Snelling yesterday. The first time -- I could barely breathe on the drive there. Found Section 30 but finding #1500 was another story. When he was buried in October 2014, there were 3 graves in his row. The following summer? Almost the entire section was full. Full! Disoriented by this, I panicked and wandered up and down rows. I called Meggie sobbing, "I can't find him!" And she talked me off the ledge and I found my man. Nothing like that etched stone to really make it final. Rest in peace, Steve. I'll fly that flag until I'm not able to lift it, which I hope is in about 30 years.