Sunday, February 15, 2009

Valentines Peeps for Ken

Ken & I had a weird affinity for Peeps®. Whenever Just Born, Inc made them available, we were there. Ken got original chick Peeps® at Easter, of course, hearts on Valentines Day, Christmas trees at Christmas. We even laughed about research on Peeps®.

Since Ken was killed in Iraq in 2004, Peeps® have made me smile and make me think about Ken. When I am able to visit Arlington National Cemetery, I always leave behind seasonal Peeps® as our little inside joke. More often than not though, the Peeps I buy just in case I have the opportunity to fly back to DC, sit on my kitchen counter.

Ken got his Peeps® this Valentines Day! Many thanks to my friends, Neil Sr & Diane Santoreillo, parents of 1Lt Neil Santoriello, Jr, who made the trip to Section 60 at Arlington to visit their son's grave on Valentines day. Thanks, guys, for leaving the Peeps® and the flowers. I'm sure Ken knows his Moms was thinking of him.

4 comments:

Amy Branham said...

Wow. That was really nice of them!

For me and Jeremy it was Smurfs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (which are back on the store shelves).

Many hugs,
Amy

libhom said...

Thanks for reminding us of the humanity of the people killed in this senseless war. The war and the people killed in it are subjects that the corporate media is pretty much censoring these days.

Unknown said...

Amy- it was Peeps, GI Joe, Star Wars, & so many others. The peeps are always seasonably available and always make me think of Ken.

I'm glad you had something with Jeremy, too.

Unknown said...

Lib-
I never thought about it that way, but you are correct, of course. This was so much a part of our lives, and it reminds me of Ken in a bittersweet way.

Some days I really hate my new life and I would never wish it on anyone- even the pro war people.

Think good thoughts that the photo ban on flag covered caskets will be lifted soon AND that Obama *will* bring them home soon- although I think the latter is a far off wish, sadly. ::sigh::