What a week at work. As of now my stress level is back to normal levels. I didn't really make that big a deal about the procedure change, which involved cleaning and setting up the room in a certain way. The person stressing me out over this actually didn't do those duties that very evening, so I felt better. Passenger loads today were the lowest I've seen for Memorial Day in the five years I've been there. I spent my downtime learning Microsoft Paint on the work computer and made a very hilarious picture of the afternoon room lead. Possibly a new "toy" for me on the home computer, since I can't burn music onto CDs right now.
What are the plans for Memorial Day? I'll be doing the same thing I've done for years (handed down by parents): go to the cemeteries where my mother and grandparents are buried.
I also get to find out if my Uncle Paul (who died 27 years before I was born) gets a flag on his grave by the V.F.W. I don't get this: he served honorably during World War II, and his headstone lists his service branch, AND my father gave me a news clipping on his death, which also listed his military record. And in the 20-plus years I've gone to that cemetery on Memorial Day, no flag! I remember going to the V.F.W. with my father so he could complain to the commander about this annual oversight. He would end up getting the same runaround - "We'll check into that." They either don't, or have very short memories.
This is blatant disrespect towards someone who served our country proudly. People might think a flag is a small detail, but also remember two things: It's the thought behind the flag that counts, and it's a sign of respect. I continued this tradition after my father moved to Arizona in 2000. So I will go to Meijer's tomorrow to get a flag. If they already have one on there, I'll know the V.F.W. will chalk that up to a "mistake". Shame on them - don't they remember all their members, past & present?
My favorite comic strip has: Pearls Before Swine, by Stephan Pastis, dedicated its Sunday page in remembrance of Middle East servicepeople. He did something likewise for Veteran's day in 2003, I believe. And you can tell it was his own idea, and not the cartoon syndicates. Otherwise, it's the nuttiest comic strip out there and one I die laughing at. When I figure out the "link" feature here, I'll link it for you.
Everything else is going well, but memories still pop up about the woman I "dated", 13 years my senior. I feel torn because there were reasons we broke apart, but could those reasons have been worked around? It's not like I've dated anybody since and, getting older, you have to wonder if I'll ever settle down and shift my life out of neutral. I think she truly did love me, even if she was somewhat possessive.
Joni Mitchell was right: You don't know what you got 'til it's gone.
