Remembering My Parents

We’ve done it every year. But this is the first time we did not travel to Florida for my birthday or for Christmas. Both happen to fall in December. It’s obvious why we wouldn’t travel this year, but there is another reason. My mom passed away in February and that was the last trip we took. She is buried next to my dad at Florida National Cemetery. Since both of my parents were Veterans, they each have their own place. Since we always drove home, we have stopped at the cemetery in Bushnell since 2015 to visit Dad, which is about 90 minutes from our house. Depending on the time of the year we put flowers or a Christmas wreath on the grave. Since we can’t be there this year we had a florist in the area lay a Christmas wreath between the grave stones and requested a photo. I’m not sure when we will ever go back to Florida. My sister is handling all the affairs and the house was given to the neighbors who took such good care of mom over the last many years. This is the first Christmas without both of my parents. It’s a very strange feeling since they were a part of my life for such a long time. I keep thinking everyone else goes through it. But it’s hard to move on especially since the usual diversions don't apply. I suppose life goes on whether we like it or not. But I couldn’t, or wouldn’t forget them. 

American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial

We've been watching the construction over the last couple years. Right next to the house office buildings and two blocks down the street from us is a new memorial. It was dedicated while we were away on our vacation earlier this month. The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial was quite stunning in the bright fall afternoon sky. It was already attracting a lot of foot traffic. The flowing water feature is highlighted with a five point star that represents the branches of the armed services. The Army, Navy, and Coast Guard are most dear to me as our family members served in WWII and for the last twenty years with three deployments overseas. The glass walls are etched with stories from every day people and their personal lives and struggles. George Washington and Bob Dole are prominent, and so appropriate. So now when we walk to the US Botanical Garden, this spot offers another place to stop, sit, and reflect on a lot of things.  It will be interesting to see it change with the seasons, but the feeling one senses while meandering about it will remain the same.  

 

American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial

We knew something was being built but did not know what it was until the signs went up a couple weeks ago. Until that happened we thought it might have something to do with water main repairs. Then we saw several large trees delivered to the site and knew it was something more. On Washington Avenue next to The Department of Health and Human Services Building and across from the US Botanical Garden and Bartholdi Fountain will be the new memorial dedicated to disabled veterans. It covers considerable space and will eventually become yet another place to walk through, sit in, and contemplate life. The Capitol dome can also clearly be seen from this vantage point. There is a website that shows the progress of the project, but we drive and walk by it quite regularly every week. Aside from this, the upcoming railroad tunnel overhaul along Virginia Avenue, and the ongoing construction near the ballpark contribute to a lot of building going on around us. Luckily we are far enough away not to be directly involved, but it all potentially impacts available street parking. Then I start to get ornery. But we are not quite ready to give up on our ten year old Subaru. Hopefully we will continue not to notice the disruption - but I have my doubts. I miss my garage and driveway but also enjoy all the neighborhood improvements.