So Hard to Raise Parents

It has been a year since the passing of my father, Harry Middleton.  And since he died on Memorial Day, it's only appropriate that especial attention should have been made of the event.  First, we began with my mother, who died just before Labor Day in 1986, by dressing up her site:

Then to Harry's location, among a strip of Middletons north of Big Rapids, Michigan...

His ashes were interred the same day as his sister Pauline's, whose passing came barely two months following his.  So after some fussing and arranging, some red/white/blue themed artificial flowers and perky decorations were assembled and put in place:

Content with the outcome, we left the site, to find this sign:

Uh oh... we had gone 'artificial'....and worse:

This is one Puritanical burial site! Of course, dad would have argued that if you can't spell 'alcoholic' properly, one shouldn't have to follow the instructions.  But we did, drove down the road and found a convenient organic greenhouse selling geraniums and baby chicks.  We opted for the plants:

But now, what of the extra faux plantage?   Well, Harry is technically available for viewing at two locations, so we went back to Lakeview, Michigan and said hello to mother again:

And the world once again could spin in greased grooves.......

Thanks for stopping by... here's to remembering friends and other loved ones this and every holiday...

Post #11 - And now, my aunt as well....

Big Rapids – Pauline Leone (Middleton) Hicks, of Big Rapids, passed away on Sunday July 3, 2011, at Mecosta County Medical Center.  Pauline was born in Detroit on June 30, 1930, the daughter of James G. and Viola (Kotke)Middleton. She graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1948 and attended Ferris Institute in the fall of 1948-49 in the School of Business. Pauline started working at Ferris in January of 1964 and retired after 28 ½ of service in the Housing Office. She was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church since 1948. For many years she loved playing golf at Falcon Head with her women’s morning league. She met with her Big Rapids High School classmates almost every Saturday at Szot’s for lunch. Pauline loved to socialize and exercise. She was a member of PT Plus, Big Rapids Senior Recreation and TOPS. She was an avid world traveler and was known in her later years as Traveling Grandma.  Pauline is survived by her three children; Peggy Leone Congleton (George Fox) of San Diego, CA, Deborah Ann (Dennis) Knopf of Big Rapids, and Daniel James (Connie) Hicks of Fort Myers Beach, FL, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Jason (Megan) Knopf and their two children, Jake and Kayleigh of Big Rapids, Scott (Lisa) Knopf and their two children, Alexandria and Carter of Davison, MI, Christopher Congleton of Davis, CA, Patrick Hicks of Fort Myers Beach, FL, and Candice Hicks (Kyle) Ballard and their two children, Carina and Blake of Cape Coral, FL, her younger sister Barbara (John) Foust of Big Rapids, sister –in-law Irma Middleton of Six Lakes, MI, plus many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Harry Middleton, and a grand daughter, Stacy Ann Knopf. Pauline was the sweetest Mom, grandmother and GG (greatgrandmother) who will be dearly missed by all.  A Memorial Service was held 11:00 a.m. Friday July 8, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church of Big Rapids, with Pastor Becky Morrison officiating. Visitation was Thursday July 7, 2011, from 6-8 p.m. at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids.  Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.

And to add to the unexpected nature of her passing, I just got a greeting card from her yesterday, the 5th....