I was the first one at my father’s burial.
I drove around the small town some. I stopped for gas, drove past the city hall where my grandfather once teased an imprisoned clown, past “Presbyterian Hill” where one of the first academy’s in the state was founded, and went back to the cemetery. I saw the funeral home’s tent and, next to my father’s grave, my grandfather’s temporary marker (misspelled) and my brother’s tombstone.
Eventually the rest of the family arrived. We waited until about the appropriate time and stepped outside.
We mingled some, and then the priest arrived (a fine Asian-Indian Father who, unlike his native born coreligionist at the funeral, kept to the liturgy). I was supposed to be a pallbearer (as at the funeral), but my uncles and a cousin relieved me of that duty.
Instead, I held my mom.
After, we gathered at my grandfather’s old house. My cousin has kept it up well — perfected it, really — and we told stories. Then, as conversations among family tend to do so, we turned to happier subjects. Lunch was tasty, and it was good to eat with so many loved ones.
I will continue to write of this as appropriate, but today is a real end. I went from worried concern, to hope, to despair, to my father’s death, to his funeral, and now his burial. I don’t know what else to say here. I suspect there is not much more. How many times can you say, “I love you, dad”?
So I expect tomorrow will see a resumption of normal blogging. A world has ended, but I am still here. So is my girlfriend, who my dad loved, in spite of being sucked under a semi. This life goes on.
Dan,
I wanted to extend my condolences. I have you and your family in my thoughts.
Regards,
TDL
Condolences and best wishes.
Looking forward to your “return” to normality. I think blogging in general takes a certain degree of courage. Writing of such personal and devastating events even more so. Both you and 'gauze seem to have taken the tack of plowing through this mountain rather than being smashed flat by it.
I agree with Jay@Soob, that it takes a great deal of courage to post such a journey on a public blog-site. thank you for sharing it with us. i have been deeply touched by your words and by the words of those who have commented. i wish you, your family and the large circle of friends who knew your father, years of fond memories. i believe your father's spirit is still with us, that yet another journey is ahead of him, and in this moment, and the eternity which follows, is rejoicing in your love and devotion.