MY Remembrance Day

My family likes cemetaries. Or, perhaps, my family gets fewer creepy spine-chills from cemetaries than the average bear. We've had our share of loss, and consider ourselves to be more comfortable than most in speaking about death and memorials and cemetaries. Trips to visit relatives' gravesites are quite common, sometimes necessitate a BC roadtrip, can be done during turkey-based family gatherings, and typically include laughter (in addition to tears).

Every Remembrance Day for as long as I can remember, following the legion's service, we take a trip to the River View Cemetary and have a shot for those who are on the wrong side of the grass (as Uncle Roy always said). It used to be that we would take one sip of whiskey for an uncle who served in the war, but as the years have gone by, additional bottles have needed to be purchased. Vodka for grandma, a little rum for Grandpa, and even some Tang for cousin Jennifer.

In an awkward sort of family reunion, the old stories come out, and bits of family history are revealed. From Great Auntie Margie about her parents, and all the children they fit into the 3-bedroom house. From Mom about the importance of the 'gum drawer'. From Auntie Darlene about Grandpa gaining weight when he bought a small motorbike because he quit walking the fields for 2 hours every morning. From Sean about trying to learn to two-step to motown music with Jennifer.

As the yarns are spun and the the bottles get lighter, the family takes comfort in bringing the missing ones alive again for a few hours. And eventually fingers grow cold and the light begins to weaken, and the drivers deliver everyone safe to their doors.

In my family, every day is a day to remember, but on Remembrance Day we make a special effort to pay tribute and make new memories.


And for 2010, I will light a candle and think of my amazing cousin making things safer (and smilier) with the troops in Afghanistan.