04/20/2024
It's fast approaching that time of year again.What time you may ask? A Southern Tradition ,called Decoration Day. There is a mighty exodus from other states into the South during the month of May through June/July. The tone has changed somewhat from the past, but the basis of the tradition is strong family ties that transcend time and space. People return to their roots as surely as the birds return year after year to their territories.
Graves were decorated with fresh flowers from the yards and put into a quart fruit jar with water. It wasn’t long into the day until they were drooping from the hot sun. Then came colored paper. Patterns were cut; each petal was pulled with the blade of the scissors, leaving it softly curled at the end. A bud was formed and each petal was carefully wrapped in layers, followed by green leaves applied last and wired into place. These were used as single flowers stuck into the ground with the wire; they were formed into wreaths; they were made into bouquets, and thus began the many-colored flowers that changed the look of the cemetery. Later, the flowers were dipped into hot wax and this preserved them through the rains to come. Silk flowers are relatively new on the scene. Now, the cemeteries bloom all year due to the durable silk flowers on the market.
Yes, the tradition of “Decoration Day” is alive and well in county's across the south. Every Sunday from May to early June finds family members crisscrossing the county, meeting with families and renewing friendships. All the new babies born in the past year are paraded for all to ooh and ah over, and to decide which side of the family he/she “favors.” As we look around the tables, we want to hold the moment because we never know who will be missing next year. As one pop song reminds us, “We have This Moment to Remember".
