Happy Birthday … to Me!

Tomorrow, May 30, is my birthday. Just so you know, May 30 is the real Memorial Day. 

When I went to the Memorial Day observance on Monday at Two Strike Park I was happy to hear a history of the holiday shared with the audience.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It was established back in 1868 by a proclamation by Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers. According to PBS, Memorial Day/Decoration Day evolved from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags. It is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. 

Originally the day was to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers; however, over the years it grew to observe the sacrifices of all military who died in service to the country. 

In 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act and established that Memorial Day was to be commemorated on the last Monday of May; however, I have held firm to the belief that the true Memorial Day is on my birthday.

So, Happy Birthday to me!

I plan on going to a movie and dinner with family after attending a Glendale Kiwanis meeting – where I’ll probably have to pay a fine! But I don’t mind – the Glendale Kiwanis is like a second family to me.

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My son’s fiancé, Khalilah, got hammered by a troll online this past week. (According to Wikipedia, an internet troll is “an individual who deliberately engages in online behaviors designed to provoke, upset or harass others.”) Granted, her social media accounts are mainly open to the world so it is not surprising that some dumb dumb would call her names. But her feelings were hurt – despite recognizing this person as a troll. 

Khalilah is black and one of the things this idiot said was for her to “go back where she came from.” Um, she’s from Colorado – so I guess this person wanted her to go back there …? I don’t understand. 

But I had a chance to share that I, too, have been called ugly names as have Mary’s ancestors. Her ancestors came from Ireland and were not loved (to say the least). They were repeatedly told to go back from where they came. However, unlike Khalilah and me, they knew where they were told to go.

It upsets me whenever any of my kids are mistreated and Khalilah is no different; after all, she’s one of the family.

I just wish people would do away with their hate; it really isn’t productive.