burial

Seeing the two grandparents I loved for 29 years reduced to white powder being poured from a plastic bag into a hole in the ground is hard to wrap my mind around. I rationally know and understand all that has happened, but sometimes my mind refuses to accept the reality. Even if it is difficult to comprehend, the burial service last Saturday was just right. Only about 13 people gathered in the shade of a tree next to a small hole that had been dug earlier. My aunt and dad placed the two boxes of ashes next to that hole and the service began. Anyone could share any memories or thoughts about my grandparents. I read from a paper words I had written the day each of them died. A few others spoke. A scripture was read. Then, my aunt and dad each took a bag and poured the contents into the hole at the same time. My brother and cousin, the only two grandsons, took turns shoveling the dirt back over the ashes. My dad said a short prayer, struggling to complete it while on the verge of breaking down. Then the service was over, but we all stood still staring at the grave...not wanting to break the moment. After a few minutes we hugged and talked and spent time wandering around the cemetary looking at other graves. We all know the saying, "Dust to dust." I've never seen it lived out in such an acurate way.

I was graciously allowed a few precious items from their home. I am the kind of person that clings to things sometimes in hopes of staying near the people they represent. I've always been that way. I have my grandma's old treadle sewing machine (it must have been my great grandmother's at some time, for it is quite old), and a quilt top she pieced that I will quilt and finish. I have her salt and pepper shaker collection that I always admired as a child. I gathered a few old photos, and will probably receive more as my dad sorts through them. And my aunt is soon bringing me one of the most sentimental items of all: their dominoes. The most memorable activity at their house was the endless stream of domino games. Sometimes just me versus one of them, sometimes all four of us- them and my brother and me. We played many games a day. It is so vivid in my mind, I can hear the specific sound of the shuffling clinking the dominoes together. I will really like having those dominoes, that their hands have been over thousands of times. I will teach Ava and Nate how to play using that very set.