Memorial Day Weekend

Musings on a Monday Morning from Mike Mullin…

The weekly Newsletter of Without A Vision Consultancy LLC

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May 27, 2019 – Memorial Day Weekend

Good Memorial Day Monday! If you’re my age or older, or heck maybe even younger, you might enjoy the poem I’ve printed for you down below.And, similarly, you might remember this day more traditionally as Decoration Day. The tradition of decorating the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers began both in the South and in the North during the war itself and then more formally in 1868; it is among our oldest and more-solemn, quasi-religious holidays. You might be surprised to learn it wasn’t declared an official federal holiday until 1971 when Dick Nixon signed it into law. Perhaps we should further and forever sanctify this day as it was originally intended and endeavor to keep away the trimmings and the trappings.

Our neighbors mowed their lawn on Saturday for the first time this season.
- They approached it with several extended family members and a variety of machines as Eisenhower might have approached D-Day.
  - One outcome is dozens of trees, branches and shrubs that were, are no more, resulting in sight lines we haven’t had in 28 years of living here.
    - Reminds me of the maxim which suggests environment is the most significant catalyst for change; let it come.
The Wall Street Journal’s Saturday “Review” section rarely disappoints.
- If you missed it over the weekend, grab a copy and read it page by page.
  - You’ll get the Medal of Honor story, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Hawthorne, and much more…
If you enjoy weather you might want to put yesterday’s into your scrapbook.
It’s helicopter season as millions of seeds from the silver maples twirl to earth.
- Do we really need that many more silver maples?
What have you been reading lately? Check out Tom’s latest column in the New York Times: Tom Friedman
CBS’ Sunday Morning might be the best program on television. The journalism is first-rate, the editing spot-on, and the story selection satisfyingly eclectic.
- Just yesterday Annette Benning was featured as she is starring on Broadway in an Arthur Miller play.
  - I thought to myself, who needs another (downer!) Arthur Miller play, but maybe it’s what we all need.
I was visiting with someone the other day who uses her Keurig pod five (5) times; says it’s not until the 5th cup of coffee that it tastes best.
- Metaphors? I’m at a loss, but feel free to contribute one — there’s gotta be one in there somewhere.
It’s wild ramp season — and morel mushroom season… of the two I prefer the ramps.
- They are less talked about and the subtle, earthy French country flavour (enjoyed with crusty sourdough) is heavenly.

I’m working with a client who wants to better understand vision. I tell him, you’ll know you’ve got it when you’re communicating it consistently, excitedly — and it produces tears, goosebumps, and vertical head nods — even within yourself.

Memorial Day
By Michael A. Mullin
Sixty years ago the pain, loneliness,
sadness, and sorrow connected with those
killed in the Great War (how can any war be great?!)
were still fresh and raw
and real in the memories
of friends and family.
The parade wasn’t a celebration
but a somber re-funeral procession.
Even the small children who clutched hand-picked
bouquets of wilting lilacs and lilies of the valley
wrapped in wet paper towels knew that.
The march to the cemetery was not about a picnic
or a day off.
It was a reverent pause to pay tribute.
The whole town came — the farmers, too.
Someone intoned Lincoln’s eloquent words,
the speech to end all speeches.
A prayer or two, stoic townspeople ramrod-straight.
Veterans who survived with no visible wounds
dressed in too-tight uniforms shouldering weapons
once carried in battle — a twenty-one guns salute,
taps echoing in the distance blown by an
imperfect bugler from the high school band.
Day is done, gone the sun.