Remembering loved ones, human and animal

I recently read a blog entry by my friend and author, Ann Gabhart and I responded with this entry:

Dogs have always been a part of my life. As a child, I had two special friends who were of the "dog persuasion" and before my husband and I were ever blessed with our daughter, we had several dogs to receive our love and enjoy the benefits of being our babies. As I write this, I am "Dogless"; my beloved Buddy died 8 years ago and his mother, our beloved Bridget, died a few weeks before my Dad so I grieved for both of them. People who aren't animal lovers would think it strange that I mention the deaths of a dog and my father in the same breath. The depths and qualities of my grief were certainly different but I did feel both losses very deeply.
As we begin our Memorial Day weekend, or "Decoration Day" as I always knew it, I will go to the cemetery to place flowers on my Dad's grave and REMEMBER and CELEBRATE the wonderful man and father he was. Now, because of your blog, I will also remember Bridget, Buddy and all of the other dogs I have known and loved!
Memorial Day is a wonderful time to remember ALL of our loved ones!

Memories of Mothers, Grandmothers and Mother-In-Laws

I can't believe it has been so long since I posted; I have slipped into my old habit of not writing in my journal every day!  I was actually reading Ann Gabhart's blog and it reminded me that I too have some thoughts to add to my blog.  Ann was talking about the iris flower and how they were often called "flags" in her area.  Well, that's what my mother and grandmothers always called them and it brought back sweet memories this day after Mother's Day.  She also asked us to mention a flower that brings back memories and I mentioned the cannas that my mother-in-law Wilma shared with me so many years ago.
Yesterday I enjoyed lunch with my mom and my daughter and it was an enjoyable afternoon.  We had our Mother-Daughter banquet this past Saturday night and everyone there enjoyed the meal and were impressed with the men of the church who prepared it.  Our speaker was very inspirational and we all left the building refereshed and glad that we share the bond of mothers, daughters or just friends.
Now, as I begin another work week, I am glad that I was able to have a Monday filled with so many wonderful memories...some older and some just made.  One of my favorite quotes is "God gave us memories so that we might have roses in winter".  Thank you, God, that I can still remember.