the honorable generation

My parents have begun their multiple journeys to the funeral home that becoming an elder entails. If it's not a family member, it's a Sunday school member passing on to glory. "The Young Adult Class" of First UMC is slowly becoming a conglomerate of widows and widowers. And Don, of course. But, that's a whole 'nother story. Back when Mr. Yates died, he of "leave room for the spirit to work" fame, I went with them to the church for his funeral. At that point, Daddy was at the height of his confusion and couldn't remember how to tie a necktie. Not that I ever knew! Anyways, I was no help so here we go trooping into the church with all the VIPs in the SS class section and his badly knotted tie is dangling over a plaid cowboy shirt covered with a sport coat and work khakis. And boots, no less. He a tenor, and myself an alto manage to harmonize on an occasional hymn just like we did for years in the choir loft. By the time Mr. PH died, he was ready to put on a suit and tie it right. Thank goodness for proper meds.

I remember the time on All Saints Day that I sat robed up next to the choir directors alto wife and listened to the bells being played as each deceased church member was remembered from the previous year. Her mother had recently died and, though she wasn't a member of THAT congregation and her name wasn't called, I noticed something about Donna. She gazed up toward the stained glass windows and got this really peaceful but kind of sad look on her face and I do believe she saw her mama right then and knew it was okay because Big Ernie had her soul firmly in his grip. That kind of experience helps when you know what's coming.

'Til death do us part is not very common these days. It's a vow that is solid and true and involves no turning back. It's extremely cheap to get married and quite expensive to get a divorce. Yet it is the answer to everything these days. I reckon it makes the lawyers happy rich.

The humidity has finally dropped turning this into a Texas style dry heat but with a little breeze so it's time to go play with the puppies. Maybe the dang grass will quit growing now that's it's dried up a little!

Peace, love and rock'n'roll.

Love ya. Mean it ^j^