By Glenn Koster
Walking Through Life
June is—or should be—a time of celebration as there are so many things worth celebrating.
For starters, June is the “Wedding Month.” June was a convenient time for weddings because it came after the planting season and before the intense labor of harvest. This timing allowed families and communities to gather and celebrate without interfering with critical farming duties. June is traditionally a popular month for weddings due to favorable weather. The reality is that more than 15% of all weddings in our nation occur in June.
For many, June signals the true start of summer and plans for trips for vacations and reunions of all sorts begin. Unfortunately, these plans often fall apart either for illness or financial reasons, yet those with a summer celebration mindset still find a way to “get away” (even if just for a weekend). Another thing about the start of summer is the reality for young parents that they now have to find places for their children for the summer. However, this is often met by grandparents stepping in, which allows time for the grandparents to spend with their grandchildren.
For many older generation Americans, June 6 brings back memories that are not enjoyable but yet are very encouraging. On June 6, 1944, our American troops went ashore at Normandy in the D-Day invasion. We must remember that it was a very costly battle, as it cost more Americans their lives in a single day than all the wars we have ever fought. Yet, we celebrate because this was the battle that began the final stages of World War II. It eventually led to Germany’s defeat and the preservation of freedom throughout the world.
For most of our country, June is the month of many graduations which mark the special achievements of students at all levels of life, from kindergarten and elementary through high school and on through college. These are special moments that should be honored and remembered. Let us remember to celebrate these life-changing moments.
We cannot talk about June without also mentioning that it is the month that we celebrate our fathers. Father’s Day originated in the United States, having been initiated by Sonora Smart Dodd on June 19, 1910. She wanted to celebrate her father on his birthday. Her father, a Civil War veteran, raised Sonora and her five siblings after their mother passed away in childbirth. For many reading this, Father’s Day was not even a recognized holiday when you were growing up, as it did not become a national holiday until Richard Nixon signed the bill in 1972, making it a holiday occurring annually on the third Sunday of June. Let us remember to celebrate our fathers.
For me, June has one more significant event. In June of 1965, I was finally “at home” again, albeit not with the family or at the home that I was born into. In early June of 1965, I was invited to spend a week-long vacation with the Koster family in Ocqueoc, Mich. Returning to my foster home the following Saturday, I started to express my gratitude for the great week, but was told to simply be quiet and look by the garage. Everything that I owned had been packed and was sitting by the garage. I learned that I was moving yet again, only this was a permanent move. I officially became a Koster one short year later.
As we enter this month, I want you to ponder what—and who—you need to celebrate. Then make that happen. May your memories come alive as you do so! Enjoy the month, all month long.
Glenn Koster is a former reporter, a retired pastor, and a retired IT professional who spends most of his time now walking and working with various Reno County non-profits. He can be reached at Glenn.Koster@gmail.com or by phone at 620-960-4492.