There was a burial this morning, out in the country and the hot Texan sun. While we were waiting for everyone to arrive I talked with one of the gravediggers. He had a shamrock tattooed on his wrist and I asked him if he was Irish.
"Yes sir, I am," he replied, sounding entirely Texan, "I used to have red in my beard, but now it's grey." We had something in common. "My hair used to be brown, "I told him, "Now look at it." The gravediggers thought that was funny and stomped about laughing.
What can I say, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, but let's not forget the sure and certain hope in the resurrection. After the burial was over and everyone was leaving, an elderly gentleman told me he'd shot five Cottonmouths in the last few weeks, but he hadn't seen a rattler.
RS, rest in peace and rise in glory.
LSP
9 comments:
I know it sounds weird, but as a church sound guy, I always enjoyed working sound for the funerals, even more than for the weddings. You don't see the real hearts of people at weddings, and the bride and groom never even come close to listening to the words. But they should. At the funerals, you see who people really are. And their whole lives, for better or worse, end up on display for all to see. Sometimes, there is more devotion on display at funerals than at any other time. Thanks for the post, Rev!
We have a span, none of us knows how long it will be, but we have control over what we do with that time.
When the reaper comes calling, all we can hope is that we've made good use of what time we've had, that we've loved and have been loved...given our best measure.
RIP to your friend.
Thanks Parson!
I think that's a good observation, Grunt, and I always find funerals emotional, though they can descend into bad farce. I remember one, years ago, where the mourners started fighting at the graveside. Whiskey played a part.
Thanks, LL.
But some people don't fear the reaper. Hillary springs to mind.
Thanks, Bill -- the least I could do.
LSP - Probably because there isn't enough cowbell.
That's a very good point, Theodore.
My condolences to all who knew the recently deceased.
Post a Comment