William Roberts'(The Elder) family plot, Saccarappa Cemetery, Westbrook, Me

                    We did not really have any plans for Memorial Day. My son wasn’t feeling so well, so I stayed at home all day. In the meantime, we have been doing massive spring cleaning before we start remodeling. I found a box full of items from my maternal grandparents’ funerals. My grandfather died on Christmas Day in 1969, at which time I was nine. It was my first experience with the death of a close family member and it impacted me. My grandmother, with whom I was very close, passed away on April 18, 1991. I arrived from Germany on a special trip just to see her, and did so, and she passed away the following morning. I am grateful I remember spending time with my grandparents. 
                     The day started and I felt I wanted to go to a parade, but stayed home with my son because that was where I needed to be. Later on my mother called to see what I was doing. She went to two cemeteries and asked if I had planted violets and lily of the valley last year. I couldn’t exactly recall, however it was a vague recollection. Anyhow, both graves had flowers I had transplanted from my yard.
                     As I looked through the box, I found guest books from both funerals with names of relatives and neighbors and friends long dead. It was nice seeing their signatures, and to know they were a comfort to my family. I have photographs of most of the people who signed the funeral guest books, interestingly enough. I found a neatly tied bundle of correspondence which my grandmother had kept from her husband’s funeral. I read through letters from my Uncle Jack who had been in Switzerland and was concerned for his father who he was unable to see. He and his brother Dick both traveled with their work quite a bit. My mom never left the area. There were letters from Ireland, notes from old neighbors from the neighborhood, and letters from her friend since childhood, with concern for my grandmother. It was very nice to read.
                     I also found some old newspapers from August 28th, 1936, which they had saved since their auto accident on Route 1 near Big 20 Bowling. My grandmother was pretty banged up and my grandfather’s brother was killed. It showed the old car, I think a Model T ,with the roof caved in. I really saw no need to save the whole newspaper, so I cut out the articles. Then I looked for items of interest to historical societies. I found some things for South Portland Historical and also Westbrook Historical. I also found many items relating to the Depression, which I will read over at a later time.
                     I read through all the Mass cards, some very beautiful with full color religious inserts. Many enclosed notes offering practical advice and most of all to try to live life and it would take time to heal. Live life… the best lesson ever, I believe. I think of my ancestors often and study history. It could be easy to get caught up in the past but more importantly, it is important to stay in the present because a lot can be missed, like watching your family grow, enjoying time spent with them. I put out my flag buntings across my porch and I waited until the following day to visit the cemetery. I snapped a photo at our family plot in Saccarappa Cemetery and feel distressed when I see the graves in disrepair. However, one day, the stones will be reduced to dust, and that is life. The dead are still there and it is us who need to carry on and live our lives. Hope you all had a fantastic Holiday Weekend.