Friday we attended the interment at Ft. Snelling cemetery of a man who recently died at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis.  It was a short service, few of us in attendance, officiated by VA personnel, the traditional honor guard, and rifle salute.  It was impressive and indeed moving.  We didn’t know the man, but we did know a little of the back story.  I couldn’t help but think of Alex Pretti, the VA Nurse killed in Minneapolis during the ICE surge, whose mission was to minister to patients at that VA Hospital; people with their own often difficult stories.

While awaiting our deceased veterans turn, I took this picture of part of this huge cemetery.

There are thousands buried here, likely all military veterans.  Every single one of them had a mother and a father, and each would have their own unique story.  The parents of the veteran we honored had passed on years earlier.

The previous day, we’d been purchasing some Mother’s Day flowers at the nearby County Correctional Institution.  For a lot of years now, a work experience for inmates at this facility is to prepare plants for sale during the month of May.  Supporting the sale is a tradition for us and for many.

Sometimes an inmate assists customers, sometimes a volunteer, sometimes others doing a service project help out.  Moms are very visible volunteers.  As with those at the cemetery, every one has a mother and a father, including the inmates.  Everyone has a good idea of what the program is, and who is involved in it.  Here is the website for the volunteers.

Somehow these stories say it all for me this weekend.  To everyone who is a biological mother, and to everyone anywhere who ever has filled a mothers role in someones life, have a wonderful day.

POSTNOTE: Here’s Heather Cox Richardson’s notes on the history of Mother’s Day.