“Keep our anger from becoming meanness.
Keep our sorrow from collapsing into self-pity.
Keep our hearts soft enough to keep breaking.
Keep our outrage turned towards justice, not cruelty.
Remind us that all of this, every bit of it, is for love.
Keep us fiercely kind.” ~ Laura Jean Truman
moving 1
Many years ago, a respected town doctor, a huge veteran supporter, hired a man known for designing military cemeteries to design and begin a military-centered cemetery in West Liberty. Naturally, Hero and Shero bought plots in the military section of the new burial grounds. They bought one for me, too, without me knowing, of course, and paid extra for it since I am a civilian. Our family cemetery has been at South Fork in Malone since my great-grandparents were buried there in 1935, and we’ve had plots there since 1935. Plot twist, so to speak. When Hero died 3.5 years ago, he was buried at the new veteran plot in Memorial Gardens. A year later, another veteran was laid to rest virtually on top of him. Shero was insensed, and I was none too happy. I think she called everybody in the county there was to call, yet there was no solution to be had. Apparently, this cramming of caskets into an otherwise spacious cemetery had been the intention of the military cemetery designer, unbeknownst to any of us, obviously. I mean no disrespect to the gentleman and his wife who spearheaded the veterans’ memorial cemetery. Their intentions were pure, I’m sure.
moving 2
Last fall, after we had made another pilgrimage to West Liberty, which always included a cemetery visit, Shero and I stopped for supper on the way home. I confessed that I was greatly displeased with the cemetery situation. I may have used the word hate in my description. Shero agreed with me. Feeling brave, I then confessed I wanted Hero moved to the family cemetery at South Fork. Braced for major blowback, I was instead agreed with again. Color me shocked. Shero and I calmly discussed the situation, and afterward we both seemed to enjoy our dinner a lot more than when we sat down. Neither of us knew it would be only five months before I alone faced a major decision about it. I thought we would handle it together.
moving 3
After receiving the approved exhumation paperwork from Frankfort and letting Mother Earth dry out enough to withstand the weight of a crane, Hero’s siblings and I gathered today to see Hero moved and placed beside Shero in the family plot at South Fork. I cannot begin to tell you how much better I feel to have them settled at last, nor do I have words to describe how grateful I am for the support my aunts and uncles have shown me today and in making this decision. From broaching the subject with Shero to telling the family, my feelings were validated and supported from day one. Come to find out, people do this sort of thing all the time. It just had never happened in my family until now.
new resting place
I was reminded today of what incredible parents I have and what an equally incredible family I come from. It was a stunningly beautiful day, start to finish. A perfect setting for a happy reunion on this plane.
South Fork home
family
3 Responses
KT,
What a difficult choice that you made. I am proud that you stuck to your principles and moved them together where there was family. It was the right thing to do! In the end family is all important.
Thank you, Rob <3 That means a lot to me. Family IS all important.
❤️