Decoration

Tomorrow we meet at a little country church a few miles away from home for Decoration! This generally always happens on the 4th Saturday of August and is a uniquely Southern tradition (I think!). We gather around 11am, place flowers on the graves of our loved ones and then EAT!!!! Each family or group brings enough to feed their crew, it's placed on a long wooden table and once we hear the blessing, we chow down. Oh and just because you brought food for your group doesn't mean you can't wander around and help yourself to what others have brought...believe me, they'll do the same to yours!

This tradition doesn't usually happen at "Perpetual Care" cemetery's...it's mainly the little country ones with very little oversight and so it's kind of left up to the families to make sure that the grass is cut and the stones are clean.

The eating part may sound morbid to some but really, it's great! We visit with other families that we may not see but one time a year and after all, we'll be lying next to one another some day, why not share time while we're living and breathing? My husband and all his brothers and sisters grew up honoring this tradition, my children have done the same.

As each generation travels out into the great big world, on the 4th Saturday of August, no matter where they are, they know what's happening here and it's comforting. The family will gather and remember those who have gone on before and rest in the knowledge that someday we will all be reunited in God's great kingdom!

Now, when are they going to ask the blessing? I'm starved!