Sunday, June 12, 2016

Decoration Day

At 10 a.m. under the collection tent at the cemetery this morning, it was hotter than my great grandmother's wood burning cooking stove in August. I moved my chair backward avoiding direct sunlight every few minutes.

By the time my relief show up at noon, it looked as if I'd showered with my clothes on. The upside is we collected enough money to have the grass cut a few times and I had an opportunity to catch up with friends I had not seen in decades.

An old cemetery is almost like home plate. Everyone with loved ones buried there makes an effort to come and decorate the graves with colorful flowers. 

Each time Jilda and I do arrangements for our folks, it's like a walk down memory lane. We laugh and cry as we remember the good times.

One young lady came today and I didn't recognize her. When I asked who she was donating for she called the name of a man that lived a few doors down from me when I was a small child.

I remember him I said. Her face brightened. For many years, he sat here in the collection tent on decoration day. She did not know that about her grandfather. He also helped dig the graves here before backhoes were invented. We had a nice chat but then another car pulled in behind her and she had to move on. I'm guessing she wanted to hear more about her grandfather.



7 comments:

  1. I wish I knew more about family that came before me. I suppose that is one reason I blog, so those after me will know something about me.

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  2. I'm sure you and your stories about her grandfather were the highlight of her day. Heaven points.

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  3. I think you have a way to brighten anyones day really.
    Lisa

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  4. The young woman looking for her grandfather's grave touched me. Knowing who you come from is so important. I thank you for giving her a small connection to her family.

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  5. She will treasure the knowledge you have her for the rest of her days. We have no idea how much we touch someone's' lives but finding this out has made a huge impact on her.

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  6. Anonymous3:49 PM

    You're a good man, Rick!!

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  7. I love to learn more about my family, my daughter Jessica is becoming very interesting in our families history

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