We buried my Dad yesterday. We stood at the gravesite, where a wheelbarrow full of earth stood next to two pieces of plywood and an astroturf covered box. My sister placed my Dad's Robin's egg blue "urn" which was actually a rectangular shaped box, on the astroturf covered box. We stood on the wet ground, our heels sinking into the muddy grass. Two Airforce cadets ceremoniously unfolded the flag provided by the Vets association, snapped it into full open position, and ceremoniously re folded it back into the correct triangular shape, their hand positions precisely and carefully just so, their expressions solemn and professional. The sky opened up a biting wind, snow squall hitting our faces, the cold stinging our eyes. Upon completion of their flag folding duties, one of the cadets marched over to a tree, where his trumpet waited, and he beautifully played taps for my Dad. The sun sent warm rays over us just as he played. When he finished, he and his fellow cadet marched away. Some of us cried a little, some of us stood quietly. All of us waited for someone to guide us to the next step. My sister Peggy asked us to join her in the Lord's Prayer, when we finished, I placed the flowers Marleen had brought next to my Dad's "urn". For Mom, and Brandon, and Dad.
Now it is all over, I am exhausted. Physically and emotionally exhausted.
Rest in Peace, Dad.
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