"Decoration Day" - A Southern tradition

The month of May starts "decoration" season for us. Growing up, we thought everyone had a decoration day (or at least knew what it was). As we got older, we realized it's primarily a deep South (USA) tradition and even then, not something all Southerners are familiar with. Decoration day is a day full of tradition, service, memories, reunions and yes - decoration. A time when graves are cleaned of old flowers, and new flowers are placed on the grave sites. A time where we pay tribute to the lives and the memories of our loved ones.

We grew up in a very small church, and the whole month was dedicated to decorations at various places every Sunday in May. Traditional church service is cancelled, and people gather to remember their loved ones through songs, poems, memories, music and food. It is something ingrained in us and the others who grew up going to decoration day. No matter where we may be in our lives, there is no doubt where we'll be the third Sunday in May.

Leading up to decoration the graveyard is cleaned, the church and fellowship halls are tidied, the flowers are ordered, and then of course, the FOOD is prepared. Food is as much part of the decoration day as the actual decorating of the graves. If you have ever heard of "dinner-on-the-ground", this literally use to be what would occur. Now, we opt for air conditioned buildings and tables, but it's the same concept. There is always enough food to feed a whole county. And it's the GOOD food. Classic southern dishes that'll make you "slap your Momma". Fried chicken, roast, ham, potato salad, every vegetable you can imagine, strawberry delight, banana pudding,...we could go on &on. #yumyum

Both of our parents played huge parts in the decoration day, as we do today. Dad would always end his "part" with these words, "May the "special-ness" of this day, the memories we hold, the fellowship we enjoy, the hopes and dreams we share, enable us to experience the sacredness, the truth, the "memorialness" of our third Sunday in May".

This tradition always seems to intrigue people who are not familiar with it. For us, it is simply part of who we are and where we came from. And we wouldn't want it any other way.  Now, off to make our menu for Sunday.  :-)