Monday Memories: Nebraska

My Monday Memories today are from twenty years ago this week. But they were brought to mind by an event that took place last Friday, Arbor Day 2024.

In our little town, there’s a small memorial garden, tucked away near the local library.  Trees are planted and dedicated to the memory of both local residents, as well as victims of major events in our country (the Sandy Hook shooting, Oklahoma City bombing, etc.) Last Friday, the tree that was recently planted in memory of Motor Man’s mom was dedicated, and he and I attended the small ceremony.

Among her other civic interests, his mom was very involved with beautification in our county. So my memory from twenty years ago centers on her passion in making our little part of the world as beautiful as possible.

Motor Man and I accompanied his parents to the 2004 Arbor Day Foundation awards ceremony in Nebraska City, Nebraska, where his mom was the recipient of one of their Project Awards.

She had recently initiated a program in our area where a crepe myrtle tree was planted for each child entering kindergarten in our county’s public school system. She was nominated for the Arbor Day award and was chosen as the recipient.

This is an excerpt from an article on the Arbor Day Foundation site for 2004:

The program is modeled after a tradition in Berlin, where a tree is planted along public roads for every child entering school. A project of the Isle of Wight Beautification Committee, the program is a perfect way to honor children, reminding them of their community’s support, and enhancing the beauty of the area. About 350 trees are planted each year along roadways as determined by the Virginia Department of Transportation, and each child receives a certificate showing the location of their tree. The Virginia Secretary of Education recognized The Plant a Tree for a Child Program by sharing information with every district in the state in hopes it would serve as a model for other schools.

We stayed at Lied (pronounced “leed”) Lodge, an Arbor Day Farm property in Nebraska City.   There were phrases/poems/quotes about trees printed along the walls of the lobby. I especially liked this one and made note of it.

I am the heat of your hearth,
the shade screening you from the sun.

I am the beam that holds your house,
the board of your table.

I am the wood of your cradle,
and the shell of your coffin.

I am the gift of God,
and the friend of man.

We were there for a few days, and while Motor Man’s mom was busy with some of her ‘official duties’, he and I took a carriage ride. (Apparently, my love of horses is not a recent thing.)

His mom took part in a tree-planting event with other award recipients, while Pop looked on from the side.

There was a formal awards banquet.

And here they are with her award.

It was nice to experience this special event with them.  Her legacy lives on in so many ways.

~These Days Of Mine~