This Memorial Day Weekend has kept me fairly busy. Today was relaxed for the most part, including an afternoon nap! I took good care with my food and exercise, too.
I'll be headed to Stillwater tomorrow for lunch with mom followed by a trip to Sunset Memorial Gardens, where my little brother Shane, grandma and grandpa and numerous other family members are laid to rest. I picked out some memorial flowers for each of them today. Shane gets blue and yellow, because that was our high school colors and Shane was a proud Stillwater High graduate. Grandma gets purple because anyone who ever knew her longer than a day, was fully aware it was her favorite color. And grandpa gets red, white and blue because he bravely defended those colors, in the Pacific during World War 2.
Someone posted the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day on Facebook. The post said Memorial Day is a day to remember those brave men and women who fought for our country and are no longer with us. And Veterans Day is a day to honor all veterans, even those we're lucky enough to still have in our lives.
Memorial Day in my family always meant remembering all of our passed loved ones. In that spirit, I wanted to share some pictures with you of several loved ones I'm remembering this weekend.
Roy T. Anderson-US Navy-World War 2. Grandpa was one of the kindest, most gentle people I've ever known. He was a hard worker his entire life. He was an honest man who kept things simple. All he needed to exude happiness and contentment, was his easy chair, a good western on the TV (preferably with John Wayne) and an apple.
My older brother Danny was a performer; a singer with a golden voice. In his younger days, he even had a big recording contract in Germany. Before I ever got a chance to meet him, he passed away unexpectedly at 42.
A more casual picture of Danny. We have the same ears.
My little brother Shane looked up to me in so many ways. Twenty-Four years old was way too young for him to go. I would give anything to have him back. Anything at all.
I didn't have a chance to get to know them very well. But I do know my grandma and grandpa on my dad's side were incredible people. When I showed up out of the blue, this long lost grandson they previously didn't know existed, was welcomed with open arms and loving hearts. I'll never forget that.
"Don't you lose another pound!" My grandma must have repeated that order a hundred times during the final stages of my initial weight loss. I love her so much. Her directive was so loving. It was her way of saying, you're just fine no matter what you weigh.
When I visited Alabama in November 2010, attending grandpa Haynes's birthday party was a highlight. Grandpa Haynes also served in World War 2.
Clarke Hodson was my big brother from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Our time together was short, but his influence impacted me in positive ways that still bless me to this day. It was an amazing honor when the family asked me to join them in the family section at his funeral. I wish I would have made more time and effort to see him. It always felt like we had more time ahead of us.
There's a longer list of loved ones not pictured. I'm remembering them all this weekend.
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The YMCA is closed tomorrow! I'm planning a Memorial Day 5K, likely tomorrow evening some time. It'll be a good workout and a good time to reflect further on the significance of the day.
A friend and colleague gifted me several lamb chops today from an area farm. It was a very generous gift. It made deciding dinner really easy! I stopped by the store to grab some all-fruit sugar free peach spread. I used it as a topping on the grilled chops. Wow. It was incredible. See the dinner tweet below!
I'm hitting the pillow feeling really well tonight. My nightly checklist is solid, with all goals met today. Oooh...except I didn't take a picture wearing my new size 36 jeans! I'll do that tomorrow.
My Tweets Today:
I hope you're having a good Memorial Weekend. Dark roast with sugar free hazelnut creamer (1tblspn per) 2cups. 60 cal pic.twitter.com/BzzYI3UITY— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 24, 2015Big Breakfast! Avocado omelet w/3whts-1whl, 90g avocado w/saltNpepper & provolone. Strawberries (184g), pear. 484 cal pic.twitter.com/8Fj26ZEtoF— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 24, 2015After nap coffee. As good as the first in the morning. Dark roast w/sugar free hazelnut (1tbspn) 30 cal. pic.twitter.com/Np6ygHYKxK— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 24, 20152 cups water with lunch. #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/BzFvYsPGTG— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 24, 2015FF/SF Bean (130g) & Provolone (2slices) tostadas w/salsa & light sour cream (1tblspn). Watermelon (398g). 447 cal. pic.twitter.com/khHFmbZHDD— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 24, 2015— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 24, 2015Feels good. Real good. #endorphinrush #naturalhigh 2 more cups water. #watertracking pic.twitter.com/olgY2BisgE— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 24, 2015Dinner is coming together! pic.twitter.com/m7MFLTTdQW— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 25, 2015— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 25, 2015Lamb chops (7.2oz) w/sf fruit spread, asprgus, swt pot, squash, onion, mshrms, red pepper, grn bns. O.O.spray. 518cal pic.twitter.com/6OqBqvy1Zg— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 25, 2015Sweet potato in previous: 160g, sugar free peach all-fruit: 1.5servings. Olive oil spray: 5 seconds= 45 calories worth. Didn't have room!— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 25, 2015After dinner cup of dark roast with sugar free hazelnut (1tblspn). 30 cal. pic.twitter.com/Ey9e3AQ1zN— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 25, 2015Bowl of strawberries (258g) w/2 tablespoons sugar free cool whip. #lastfoodofday 123 cal. pic.twitter.com/VRyo0RLFM4— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) May 25, 2015Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean