In Memory...

May 25th- We spent the day visiting those who have gone before us. I looked up the definition of Memorial Day and was surprised to find it was a day set aside to remember those who died in active military service- which I knew, but I also have always thought it was a day in remembrance of any person- family, friend, or otherwise who has passed away. Well, despite the definition I don't think I have every spent a Memorial Day so focused on fond remembrance of our loved ones who are now watching over us from heaven. It truly was a special day.

At the West Point Cemetery-

My Great Grandparents- Grandma and Grandpa Cook. (My Grandma Patsy's parents.)

My aunt, and also my namesake, Nicole Craythorne, who passed away after only 3 short days here on the earth. (My mom's sister.)

At the Hooper Cemetery-

Aisley's 3rd Great Grandmother, and namesake, Pearl McDonald Zinie. It was so very special visiting Grandma Pearl's gravesite for the first time with our Aisley Pearl. She died at a very young age, only 22 years old, leaving behind her 6 month old daughter, Mildred Zinie, Aisley's Great, Great Grandmother.

Grandma Pearl's parents- Katherine and John McDonald.

My Great Grandparents- Mildred and Ben Craythorne. Mildred passed away several years before I was born, but on Monday we ran into my Grandpa's brother, Kelly (Mildred and Ben are my Grandpa Richard's parents) at the cemetery and he assured us that Grandma Mildred was a very sweet mother and woman who was very loved. Kelly also was able to talk to us a lot about what he knew about Grandma Pearl and shared with us a lot about our family history. It felt like it was meant to be that we would run into him and his wife and it was a very spiritual experience being there with them at the cemetery.

At the Brigham City Cemetery-

At the Honeyville Cemetery-