The week was not without meaning. Though I was sick a few days, I managed to get to Saccarappa Cemetery to transplant some of my own plants from my yard onto David’s Grave and my grandparent’s grave. I planted Lily of the Valley and Violets. After running the stories about David, I feel real dialogue has transpired. His ‘life’ memory will be left for all of us. I was not sure what would become of it all, but it has put a smile on my face this week. [see "A Boy Named David" & "The Dialogue: A Boy Named David"]
             I spent Saturday evening in Winthrop at my brother’s home for girl’s night out with my mom, sisters, niece, and Sally, my brother’s wife. Sally prepared a lovely meal for all of us and we exchanged gifts including identical pajamas for all of us, slippers and spa items. We all had a spa night after dinner in Sally’s home, watching movies, including August Rush, and Disturbia. I liked August Rush, but disliked Disturbia. It was ok, just not my kind of movie. Afterwards, my sister Carol, her daughter Natalie and I stayed up until 1:30 AM composing a song about our evening. We laughed all night. Off to bed, I thought about my two sons and my husband.
             My son JT was going to the prom with a girl who he has known since he was little from Redbank. They were just friends, but the family must’ve been worried he had not contacted them for awhile and the heat was coming down. The older brother came here Friday evening looking for JT but he was at the movies. He asked JT to please call as he was getting the heat from his mom and sister about the uncertainty of Prom night. I think it was stressing JT out a little but he managed nicely. He is a bit like me with putting things off until the last moment, though he had the tux rental all ready earlier. As I lay in bed, I felt bad that I had not seen him dressed up and ready to go but was glad my husband would be home. 
             Then my thoughts changed to my son Mike, who has been a little down as his girlfriend of two years broke up with him about a month ago. She called him many nights to talk, and Mike always looked forward to her calls. She is about three years younger than him. She has a nice family and she is a thoughtful girl. She is growing up and probably doesn’t feel she fits in with her girlfriends, but who really knows. She and Mike were going to attend the prom way back, but she broke up with him a month before that. Anyhow, he thinks he has done something wrong. In reality, I just think she wanted to go with her girlfriends. She cares a great deal about Michael, but she will not see him anymore. He is a little broken hearted but he will be ok in time. I think deep down, he feels she broke up with him because he is in a wheelchair and his health will get worse. I guess we never stop being mother.
             We arrived at my mother’s home at 10:30AM Sunday morning. I went inside to call my husband. He would be picking me up later at my mom’s, so I could visit. We sat outside in the sun and soon my aunt came by from New Jersey. She and her husband came to get my father and take him to Saccarappa Cemetery, then to lunch at Susan’s Fish and Chips and afterwards a visit to see my Uncle Phil at the memory impairment unit where he now lives. I was glad to see my aunt as I had not seen her since I posted the stories about David. She wanted to see her brother Phil to thank him for his role in saving their family in the fire. She asked me if I wanted to go, but I felt it was personal between her, my dad and Uncle Phil. I was also waiting for my husband to pick me up later. She brought Uncle Phil a lobster roll. Aunt Marietta mentioned to Phil that he had shared with me how he and David had climbed through the skylight in the ceiling, to escape the fire. She thanked him and talked a little more about that day.. At one point, Uncle Phil mentioned that he did not want to talk anymore about the tragedy and Marietta said he seemed to get choked up and so did she. I think he was emotional after all; he was with the family he loved, his sister and brother. I never witnessed any emotion from him on that topic. I admire my Aunt for her courage and feel very blessed that they both were able to share a few thoughts about that day.  All in all, I feel it was good for all of them, and it was also good for me. I had no way of knowing what would become of this whole ordeal, but somehow in my heart, I know it was good.
             My husband came down later with Michael, ad he mowed my mom’s yard after he fixed her mower. She was so happy about it, that she bought us all pizza. Later when my dad and his sister and husband arrived, they invited us over to their new home in South Portland on the water.  My aunt is an artist and shared with me the most amazing pictures she painted with a computer program. She is writing a story about her childhood filled with delightful drawings, pictures of her brothers and her playing in the fields, playing in the back of the family truck, lying in the grass, singing on stage, playing the piano with another brother. They are heartwarming. Her paintings reflected her passion for her family and I have no doubt the book will become a reality. I have never seen such beautiful work, full of love.
             I hope you all have a nice Memorial Day and get to spend it with your families.