Memorial Day reflections...

This weekend, I found myself reminiscing over Memorial Day weekends of my youth. While much of the UK is enjoying a three day weekend ‘bank holiday’, Americans are having a three day weekend long observance of Memorial Day. Traditionally a day to honor fallen soldiers ~ and a day I like to honor both the living and departed, for their willingness to sacrifice, or for their ultimate sacrifices such that we may enjoy the freedom that we do. Some families spend the day in active tribute – visiting cemeteries, memorials, and other patriotic events. Other families simply spend the time enjoying their right to – well, enjoy. This translates often into barbeques, picnics, family and fellowship in various forms. It also marks the opening of public pools and the ushering in of summer.

Today I was particularly recalling family gatherings of years gone by. There are a lot of things I miss – mainly time with my grandparents. One set of grandparents had a farm and I can remember some great summer gatherings there. My other set of grandparents used to have us over for a ‘cookout’ (barbeque) on their back porch replete with my grandmother’s homemade blueberry pie.

This year is bittersweet as I have been marking each passing ‘holiday’ or ‘observance’ as my last one while still residing locally with family. This is not to say that I’ll always miss out. I fully plan to visit and participate, but I also know that there will be those gatherings which I miss out on geographically.

I was discussing my feelings with A today and describing the years of traditions and get-togethers and the things which I do and will miss. He suggested that perhaps it would do my heart good to continue to observe each American holiday or tradition while together in the UK. While I can’t re-create days gone by or replace the presence of family and old friends, I agree it would mean a lot to continue to find special ways of our own to mark these occasions.


I wonder what my new British family-in-law (to be), friends, and/or acquaintances would think about sharing an occasional Thanksgiving meal, or July 4 barbeque, and the like with A and I? While I can never hope to exactly replicate my grandmother’s homemade blueberry pie – it might be fun and meaningful to share a bit of my heritage as I embrace a bit of theirs.



Extending my heartfelt thanks to all who serve and have served. Extending my deepest sympathies to families who have lost loved ones and who grieve during this time. Wishing many happy returns to those families celebrating this weekend. Remembering my own loved ones living and departed.




Looking forward also to new beginnings, friendships, and traditions…

Thank you

Getting back into the groove (i.e. work, real life) after a two+ week respite with A is never easy! I have been under the weather (something resembling a cold), and understandably a bit down.

A surprised me midweek at work with these!!





Such vibrant, colorful, happy reminders of Spring... and more importantly all that I have to smile about and look forward to. :)


Thank you, A! xx

Recap

I'm writing this from somewhere over the Atlantic... riding the skies on an endless Saturday as I go backwards in time... back to Kansas after a wonderful time with A in the UK.

I had the idea that I'd use the long flight time to craft a clever blog or three about the past 2+ weeks. However, I'm finding instead that while my head and heart are filled with images and remembrances, as well as the sting of separation and excited anticipation of next time, I really prefer at the moment to relish in that, and keep things simple. To that end, I think for now I'll merely highlight a few favorites from my recent time abroad. (In no particular order, and certainly not all-inclusive).

1. Clear favorite! ~ time with A.

2. Dinner out with friends in the Lake District.

3. Seeing A's family in Scotland.

4. The election experience and all that entailed.

5. This:




6. Attending the mayor-making (inauguration) ceremony and dinner as A's guest.

7. Meeting, interacting with, dinners with, time spent getting to know A's friends and colleagues.

8. This:




9. Driving lessons (challenges and confidence-building exercises).




10. Realizing that this was my last 'holiday visit' to the UK and that my next journey there would be to settle into life with A (and ALL the to-do lists, preparation, excitement, nerves, and joy that comes with this!).


11. I can't wait...!

'X' Marks The Spot

The past two weeks have been a rare privilege.

Thanks to A's role as the Agent for a candidate for MP in his constituency, I had the distinct honour of an inside view of the British political process.

My journey began shortly upon my arrival as A put me to work (on a volunteer basis!) canvassing the streets of the ward that he occupies as a councillor delivering leaflets. (It was interesting to note that said leaflets are placed through the letterboxes which I believe is actually illegal in the U.S.).

The next phase of my experience was the 'riveting' day I spent at the postal vote count at the council offices. (A sure knows how to show a lady a good time!). Seriously though, I was genuinely pleased to be a part of this process. I participated in verifying questionable signatures on ballots (i.e. the validity of the votes), and enjoyed interacting with Agents and members of a few of the opposing parties, who I sensed were having a rare day of camaraderie as they worked together to ensure that the process was fair.

Voting day was interesting, as I note that the ballots are paper, and that one marks an 'X' in the box next to their candidate of choice then simply folds the slip of paper and places it in the ballot box. Perhaps America could learn something from this in light of the 'hanging chads' fiasco.

I think one of my favorite elements of my inclusion in local election proceedings was the day known as 'The Count'. I was granted a rare and precious 'pass' to attend this event at the Civic Hall, and observe the election workers literally counting the paper ballots, and placing them into piles. Each pile signified a specific party's candidate for MP, and the winner would go on to represent the constituency in Parliament. It was exciting to watch as the counted vote piles grew and it eventually became obvious which party and candidate would prevail in this region. The room was full of (albeit limited numbers of) representatives of each party (Labour, Conservatives aka 'Tories', Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Ukip, BNP), as well as the BBC news and Radio Cumbria. The anticipation was palpable. This was particularly so in part due to what was happening at the national level. As this region was among the latter 30 to be counted nationally, one had the feeling that their votes mattered more than ever.

Eventually, the results were known for this constituency, and the day was capped with formal announcements, news coverage, and speeches from the winning party candidate, as well as a rousing and somewhat shocking rant from one of the losing candidates!

Sadly, A was rather dejected on this day, as his candidate was not able to overcome the fact that the opposing party has long held the seat in this area. He did an excellent job, but I struggled to comfort his sense of defeat. A spent some time on his own as I joined our friends Helen and Rob for a post-election meal.

Given the current political situation nationally, and the potential for changing alliances, one might wonder if this process will be repeated all too soon. I prefer the optimistic view that a new era of political cooperation has been ushered in.


In all, it was an amazing experience at an historical time politically in the UK, and I am so happy to have had a front row seat!

27 Forgotten Miles...

There are 27 miles of scenic British road that I've travelled today and shall not remember an inch of. As I dearly love English countryside, it should not be possible for me to forget a nice drive on a dry day in Cumbria. So how did I manage?

I'll give you some clues: white knuckles, death grip on steering wheel, feeling 16 again, wishing I had L-plates? No? Careening miraculously through round-a-bouts and wondering what on earth just happened, and desperately trying to stay between the lines when I felt like I was in what is supposed to be oncoming traffic.

Yes, today I drove a British car on British roads for the very first time! I somehow managed to get A and I back to his in one piece, albeit slowly (much to the chagrin of the 6 or so vehicles on my tail for some distance of no-passing zones).

I remember being 16 and learning to drive and becoming newly licensed. I remember that same death grip on the steering wheel, and the same fear that I'd never really get comfortable behind it. I couldn't imagine ever being as relaxed as other drivers I knew. With the passage of time, of course, I did. I never could have anticipated re-living this phase, yet here I am! It's hard to fathom that for some of us, a simple shift of the steering wheel to the right side of the car and a shift in travel lane to the left side of the road could leave one so off-kilter, but for me it has. I know there are lucky ones out there who can make such shifts right off with no hassle. I am just not one of them. So today, I caught myself wondering the same things I did at 16... would this ever become easier?

I expended a fair amount of adrenaline today. Tomorrow won't be any easier. I doubt the 5th or 20th time will either. Yet I know that once I am here to stay if I work at it that day will likely come. (If I ever master parallel parking which is just not as needed a skill in the wide-open spaces of the Midwest USA).


For the next couple of weeks, if you happen to be in Cumbria, you may want to give a wider berth if you encounter a wide-eyed brunette in a silver Kia. The pale countenance and extra-white knuckles will be your cue...