We went to a funeral today for Ryan’s dear Uncle Lewis. He was a great man and it was a beautiful funeral. His son and daughter (Ryan’s cousins) did such a great job paying tribute to their dad, and reminding us all that death is not the end. One quote was especially interesting to me, “we are born to die, and in dieing, we will live.”
At the cemetery, there were flags and the colors from Veterans of Foreign Wars. They gave a “15 gun salute” (I’m not sure if there were supposed to be 21, but there were only 5 of them there) and even played taps on the bugle. It was very nice. The weather was bitter cold with blowing wind, but only a light snow falling. Even though he was old and in poor health and we are all relieved that he will no longer be suffering, I can’t help but think how lonely his lovely wife, June, will be now. And how lonely I would be if Ryan were no longer with me.
We drove by our old house (which backs up to the Lehi cemetary) and noticed how big the maple trees are now. We planted those spindly little maples that we dug up from Michelle’s parents’ back yard when we had only been in that house for a year or so. They were so tiny and we wondered if they would even live. Now they are nice, big trees (bigger than any we have in our current yard) and it reminds me that some things change, and some things stay the same. Things change. Life goes on. Things grow old. People grow old. I’m thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful people.
Lovely post – lovely maples – lovely you.