July – A Special Month: For me, July has become a special month of remembrance, both of family and notable events long since past. We start the month early with the celebration of America winning her independence – and, for us Southerners that possess a deep appreciation of history and heritage, we are reminded too of the great and tragic losses on both sides of the War Between the States, especially the pivotal twin defeats of early July at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, climatic struggles that sealed at a very high cost the fate of the Confederacy. July has become a month of personal loss as well. My father, the late W.R. “Spud” Miller of Durham, N.C. passed away at age 83 during the month of July in 1999, not quite making it to see the new millennium upon us. My mother, the late Laura Erwin Miller passed away just this past year at age 95 – also during the Month of July. Pictured below are my mother and father circa WWII. They were very special people to whom I owe much. I will cherish always my memories of them and their presence in my life. I miss them both terribly. Lastly, here too are a few sweet lines by which to remember this special month: "The linden, in the fervors of July, Hums with a louder concert. When the wind Sweeps the broad forest in its summer prime, As when some master-hand exulting sweeps The keys of some great organ, ye give forth The music of the woodland depths, a hymn Of gladness and of thanks." - William Cullen Bryant, Among the Trees
Posted on: Sun, 28 Jul 2013 19:49:55 +0000