Unofficial kickoff to summer just around the corner
Memorial Day is fast approaching and for many the holiday is not only an opportunity to honor those who have died in service of our country, but a chance to come together with family and friends to mark the unofficial beginning of summer.
For Human Resources Director Megan Sandoval, this Memorial Day will be the fourth in a row that she and her husband will pack up their two sons (along with their dog, Rocco) and head for the great outdoors.
“We usually take our camper and pick a place where we can spend our weekend being outdoors, enjoy nature and disengage from technology and our crazy, hectic life,” said Megan.
That doesn’t mean that Megan and her family will spend the weekend just sitting around—if past Memorial Day weekends are any indication, there’s sure to be plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained and having fun.
“We camp out and cook, make s’mores, fish, kayak and swim,” said Megan. “My little one (age six) takes his scooter and scooters his way around the whole camp.”
But no matter what they’re doing, for Megan, the most important thing is that they’re all together. u
Memorial Day – More than just the unofficial start of summer
For many of us, Memorial Day means a fun three-day weekend to celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer. But at heart, Memorial Day is a somber day to honor and remember those who died fighting for their country. Memorial Day used to be known as Decoration Day – it was established in 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, with the purpose of having people place flowers on the graves of
declared May 30, 1868 as Decoration Day which eventually became Memorial Day. The first national celebration took place at Arlington National Cemetery where both Confederate and Union soldiers were buried.
Memorial Day –
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Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Rev. Richard Russell, chaplain at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor®.
God’s Nearness
As I write this article, I am sitting by my wife’s bed in the local hospice house. She is nearing the end of her battle with cancer. She and I have spoken a lot recently about how God is very near to us. This made me think of a familiar old hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee.” In the first stanza, it says “Nearer my God to thee, nearer to thee, even though it be a cross, that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God thee.” We have certainly had a difficult cross to bear throughout these months. But God’s nearness has been the thing to help us through. He says in His word, as you draw nearer to me, I draw nearer to you.
In the second stanza, it says, “If like the wanderer, the sun goes down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone, yet in my dreams I’d be, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God to thee.” In our dark days that we have journeyed through, it has been the tenderness of God’s care and love that has been our
support. The psalmist said, “He loves you with everlasting love, and underneath are His everlasting arms.” We truly have sensed Him holding us in His love.
The third stanza says, “There let the way appear, steps unto heaven, all that thou sendeth me, in mercy giveth, angels to beckon me, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God to thee.” We know because of faith and God’s promises that He has
Join us to learn more about how to rightsize!
Whether it is learning how to get started organizing, rightsizing or preparing for an upcoming move, our upcoming event can help.
Join us on Wednesday, March 24 at 2 p.m. to get tips on how to take back control of your stuff and your space.
Our guest speaker is Kirsten Awe, Founder and CEO of Rightsize Moving Solutions. As a native Kansan, Kirsten has lived and worked in the Wichita area for more than 35 years. What started as a love for organizing and helping people set up their homes led Kirsten to become a Professional Organizer. Eventually, Kirsten specialized in working with seniors on a variety of relocation and downsizing projects and fell in love with helping them and their families during one of the toughest times in their lives.
This led to the launch of Rightsize Moving Solutions, which has grown into a full-service moving, relocation and transition service business.
Join us to get some practical tips and advice on how to rightsize,
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gone to prepare a place for us. And we can look forward to the wonderous things that will bring.
In the last stanza, the old hymn says, “Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky, sun moon and stars forgot, upward I fly, still all my song shall be, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God to thee.” My wife looks forward to hearing those words from Jesus Himself, “well done my good and faithful servant, enter into all that I have prepared for you.” We know that will bring perfect healing, perfect joy, and perfect peace. So, our hope for you dear reader is that you too would draw nearer to the Lord, and find His loving grace to be sufficient for your every need. u
including simply where to begin. The 30-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session.
Let us know you’re coming by contacting Andraya Taber at 620412-2178 or ataber@pmma.org u
2300 Industrial Rd.
Emporia, KS 66801-6636
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family members and friends who died during the war. Decoration Day gradually became Memorial Day. At first, it only recognized fallen solders of the Civil War until World War I when the holiday evolved to honor Americans who died in all wars, now including World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Originally observed on May 30th, it wasn’t until 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, establishing Memorial Day as the last Monday in May, giving federal employees a three-day weekend. Nowadays, cities and towns across America hold Memorial Day parades and the tradition to decorate cemeteries with flowers and wreaths continues. Because of the long weekend, it’s also become a more fun day with road trips, barbecues, and other celebrations for the summer ahead.
Sources: www.history.com
The Library of Congress u
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