Change?...Dare I try it!

So some of you may remember a while back I wrote a somewhat controversial blog entry about the Maine Italian Sandwich. This delicacy has been deeply loved by my family for years, yet it wasn't until my sister fell in love and married a man from NH that this great treat began being mocked in our family. Some of you may also know that I can be slightly resistant to change. Well, this topic of change and my beloved Italian Sandwich have collided. Amato's Italian Sandwich Shop a while back came out with a whole wheat Italian Roll. WHAT!!! CHANGE MY ROLL!!! It took me months to just get my mind wrapped around the idea and then another couple of months to get up my courage to try this new creation. Well, I did it! With the support of a co-worker, who was also scared to try it, we tried the whole wheat Italian Sandwich Roll. So I thought it only fair to tell the world, or at least the few of you that read this blog, about our experience. It was unique. It was not the sandwich of our youth. I can't say that I am in love with it, but must lament that it is a healthier option. The roll is somewhat drier then the white and I feel is loses some of it's doughy, suppleness. I can say I didn't hate it and think I could learn to like it! Kimi and I were proud of ourselves...Two Maine girls proving Mainers can change!!!

We remembered.

Memorial Day has passed and what a day it was. We did all the things we usually do- the service, the parade, a visit to the graves, yet it was different without Grammie. I missed her. I cried. I feel very blessed by the legacy left to me. Grammie and Grampa are gone, but there are others that continue to teach me this legacy of patriotism. My Uncle Tony marched in the Harrison Memorial Day Parade for the 40th year yesterday and Aunt Betty marched behind him in the parade as she has done for my whole life. I stood at the graves of the St. John family with my parents, aunts, uncles, sister, cousins, and my nieces & nephew and we remembered the sacrifices made by all the men and women that didn't come home from war. We remembered those that don't get to stand with us today and we say thank you. Memorial Day isn't a day to glorify war, for no one hates war more then those who fight in them. Memorial Day is a day to to stop and remember and say thank you! We sat the night before going through old photos and for the first time in my life I saw pictures from my Uncle Ronnie's funeral. He was killed in Vietnam. He was the oldest of 6 kids and seeing them all standing at his graveside reminded me of the sacrifice. He lost his life so I could live in freedom and that will never be forgotten. So in honor of Ronald G. St. John I say thank you and I remember your sacrifice.