a date which will live in infamy

Is it easy for me to remember the day Pearl Harbor was attacked because it is my grandma's birthday, or is it easy for me to remember her birthday because it is Pearl Harbor Day? Either way, once again the day has come and gone, only this year was a bit different as this was the first time I thought of the day and remembered my grandma in the past tense. Last year, we celebrated her 90th birthday. This year we celebrated her life when she passed away on August 5th. I was proud to be counted among her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and to hear all of the wonderful stories about her life and those she had affected. I learned I was more like her than I thought - she, too, had defied her parents as a teenager and she, too, prefered to eat out than to cook. No more excuses - it's in my genes, nothing I can do to change it.I clearly remember my Grandma sharing with me her memories of Dec 7, 1941. By some strange coincidence, once when Russ and I went to visit her, the movie entitled Pearl Harbor with Ben Affleck was just opening. We briefly mentioned that we wanted to go see it and thought that it might be something of interest to her. No. (thinking back, that only makes sense). She said that she had her own memories of that day and didn't need Hollywood to show her what had happened.

She was working as a nurse in the army posted stateside. They got word that the United States had been attacked. She was working in a hospital on the northwest coast and a blackout had been ordered. They worked treating patients and fearing the worst for the entire night. The next day they heard news and realized the war had taken a drastic turn. And of course, it would be the most memorable birthday she would ever have.

I am grateful for the legacy that my grandmother left. I am grateful for her love of this country and for her devotion to God. I am thankful for the family that she raised and for the love that we will share with each into the eternities because she brought us and kept us together.