Ten-Finger Exercises

Memorial Day

We all went to church this morning, then home to change clothes and gather up broom, scrub brush, water and flowers to take to the cemetary. This is an annual ritual for Bill, to tend the graves of his parents, grandparents and great grandparents. The Howard family had their own wagon train, and it continued to Sheridan, Oregon.

Bill's greatgrandfather was a Methodist minister who started at least three churches in this area and others in the state. It says on his tombstone, "He died at his post." He actually did; he died in the pulpit. I'm certainly glad I haven't ever had that happen at a service!

Every year Bill wonders if anyone will tend the graves when we're gone. Probably not. His children live in Florida. Mine aren't involved in this ritual, wouldn't even know where to go or what to do. To think that no one else will care the way he has makes him sad.