Hero’s rest

We buried you today. I can’t believe it even as I type this. So many people came today. Dr Cooper took time to come over for calling hours and offer his sympathies, he said he doesn’t do this for every patient, but you were special. You must’ve made quite an impression, he has hundreds of patients, but he singled you out. Uncle Jim was there, they left Virginia at six a.m. just to be there and then drove home the same day. I haven’t seen him in so long I hardly recognized him. When he smiled, I knew who it was, I’ll never forget that smile, or playing pool in his basement. He’s lost both of his younger brothers now. Uncle Bill and Uncle George served as pallbearers. Sharon showed Jeff the list you wrote of who you wanted to be pallbearers and that his name was at the top of the list. He was very emotional about it. It was so good to have him there, Mom asked me to make sure he is invited to all of our family parties, he has two beautiful twins girls, you would’ve adored them. Friends, teachers, neighbors, and students. You touched so many lives. Kathy Arble participated in the service and Harry sang the Lord’s Prayer.

She does well when there are people around. She was worried that she wouldn’t be able to talk to them, but she did so well. You’d be so proud. In time she will be o.k. Mom is a strong woman and you did everything you could to provide for her even after. Even after you’re gone. It was so hard to say our final goodbyes, but even harder when they wheeled in the casket for the service and it was draped in the Flag. The cop that accompanied us to the cemetary saluted as you passed by, the veterans had an Honor Guard there, they saluted as you were taken from the hearse. There was a twenty-one gun salute, (scared the crap out of Uncle Bill. I bet you were looking down on us and laughing) they played taps for you, they presented Mom with the Flag and the gun shells.

My life will never be the same. There’s an emptiness in my heart that will never heal.