The Funeral
We were up well before dawn. Tom let me
sleep until the last minute, so I didn't have time for a long, leisurely
shower or even to get completely dressed. We were on the road about
5:30AM with me still about half asleep and half dressed.
I've been bracing myself for this funeral event, hoping to get through
it with a minimum of emotional trauma. My plan was to stay focused
on the funeral at hand and not let my mind drift back . .
I thought I was doomed for the day when we drove past the cemetery where
the boys are, but after a very few miles, I felt in decent spirits again.
I must have done better because Tom didn't do the little comfort things
that he usually does when we pass that cemetery.
By the time we were in Waco, I was just enjoying the ride and the
conversation and the scenery. Tom stopped at both roadside rest stops
on the way as our morning coffee swill was taking its toll on our
bladders.
I finished getting dressed just before we reached Austin. Tom seemed to be amused at the pantyhose
ordeal. We arrived at Carrie Lou's grave about 45 minutes early.
The cemetery was lovely with old stones and mausoleums everywhere.
I never knew Carrie Lou. I've written letters to her and Granddad,
but I didn't know her. Maybe that is what made the memorial service
bearable. Or maybe it was because I was able to focus on the people
and the love around me instead of roaming back to the past.
There was some additional emotional burden for Carrie Lou's loved
ones. There was some legal mixup and an autopsy had to be done.
Carrie Lou couldn't actually be buried today. Later, they
will have a private ceremony for the burial.
From the graveside, we went to Granddad's house for snacks and some
family community. I got to know Granddad a bit. We talked about
his burr oak and had some stories about the building of his house,
about sixty-six years ago.
Granddad told me that he loved getting my letters and I felt bad
because I haven't written to him in months and months. I'll
do better.
Tom and I had a nice drive home. One of those times when we
could drift from our own thoughts to a few snippets of real
conversation and back again with such ease.
We saw a huge silver dome that led to conversations about geodesic
domes and Buckminster Fuller.
