Do you visit the cemetery or does it "creep you out?" I played taps at various cemeteries when I was a kid every Memorial Day and for other occasions. We were taught to honor the dead and to show respect and prayer to your deceased loved ones. But I know some people never go "until it is their turn."
While I was waiting for her to get there, I visited all my aunts, uncles, former friends and neighbors buried there. We tried to remember where they put me the years the director wanted an echo player and I was the kid back in the woods somewhere. Every cemetery I have driven by is very well kept this year, even a little nicer than some former years I remember. This is kind of surprising in the depressed economy with every government and non profit struggling for funds.
I saw a car that looked liked my sisters and walked that way when an older Chevy truck drove through with a little gray haired man passed by. We waved and it struck me that was one of my classmates so I yelled his last name and he backed up. I hadn't talked to him in 10-20 years, I don't remember the last time. We talked about where the other guys were we grew up with. Most of the class went their own way and hadn't kept up with each other.
It is amazing to see how many people are gone who are your age or even younger. Several of my classmates never made it to 60. In my family,one aunt was 86, one 85, dad was 85 and Uncle Roy is 85 and Jane is 90. Grandma Winkle was 84 and Grandpa 74. The rest didn't live quite that long. My mom is 85 so my line has lived a little longer than some of the others. I wonder what that means for me?
In our church we pray for the dead in hopes they will one day meet the Lord if they have not already. Trends have changed for funerals and such in these "face paced times." It's a subject most of us put off until we have a life changing experience that makes us plan right then, or we let our loved ones take care of it.
This is not meant to be a gloomy subject but as a matter of fact we all must face. Many farmer friends talk about times when they know their dad is with them or looking out for them and I have felt the same way many times.
I am thankful for the many soldiers who have kept our land free and very thankful for the Christian souls who worked hard to do the right thing.
How do you honor the dead this holiday?
Ed Winkle
Put out four flags today. One for my dad, and three for family members that no-one bothers with anymore. My wife put out two, one for her first husband and one for her dad.
ReplyDeleteWe opened the barn doors of our 1880 barn to show the flags we have hung above the doors. People like to see them when they pass our farm. Glad we can remember, Gorges.
ReplyDeleteLynne and I took plants up to our cemetery this afternoon for family members. We had bought quite a few extra plant so we wandered around for 45 minutes or so looking at headstones of people we knew and putting plants out.
ReplyDeleteLots of local history is up on the hill
Good for you, Brian. There was lots of honoring in our local communities and it was very good to see. I do not miss playing taps or marching in the band!
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