Dear Cousins, It seems to me that as family historians we memorialize our Ancient People all the time, even though it is nice to have a special time to do that with those who were nearest to us. We have had a very cold dry spring here in Northeastern Oregon, and so the peonies and iris that I usually take over a 200 mile or so circuit of family graves, are not quite ready today. But it was very warm yesterday, so perhaps as the "real" Memorial Day approaches, they will be fully bloomed, and I can distribute them in the traditional way. History is all about memory and memorial. Through our research we honor the early people who contributed their genes to making us who we are. DNA studies now seek to see if someone is related to another who may share a common ancestry, but I'm not sure that is the same kind of memorial, however. It seems to me as we search out records, interpret ancient spellings, uncover stones buried by weather and time, that we do much more than prove a lineage or connection to one person. It seems to me that we honor the sacred connection we all have to a common past, and the duty we have to understand the truths these memorials have to offer. Doing these things is a matter of respect for all those who have brought us to our own places in time and history. Our lives too are memorials. As we pass through that process, do we leave monuments to rapaciousness and meanness, or leave a trail of maimed and abased people in our wake? Practicing good rules in structuring our daily lives begins the creation of our own history and memory, and seems a very Godly thing to do. I have memorialized some of Walt Whitman's beautiful comments on a large screen that I've created to represent some of my ideas along this line. It speaks to me daily: "This is what you must do: Love the earth and the sun and the animals; despise riches. Give alms to everyone that asks. Stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others. Hate tyrants, argue not concerning God. Have patience and indulgence toward the people. Take off your hat to nothing known or unknown, or to any man or numbers of men. Go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with mothers of families. Dismiss whatever insults your own soul and your very flesh shall become a great poem." I hope you all have a memorable holiday. Love, your cousin, Carolyn