Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Homecoming

Summertime is the time for the annual homecomings around here. Those of you from the south know what I mean. This isn't even remotely related to cheerleaders and football. This is that sacred time of year when families, young and old, gather in a designated pavilion, park, community center or cemetery to decorate the graves of family members.

It is a time-honored ritual commemorating the lives of those loved ones who went on before us. The main draw, after the massive potluck and the visiting, is decorating the graves.

Our homecoming is always scheduled for the 4th of July, so that we decorate the graves in the Duckett Cemetery with little flags and red, white and blue ribbon-tied floral sprays.

We have a couple of aunts who scrub the headstones to erase the effects of crusty bird poo. Their children accompany them, training for the time when they will bear the sole responsibility of keeping the concrete slabs clean.

As the cleansing and beautifying conclude, a group picture is taken underneath the wrought iron arch bearing the name of the little cemetery.

May you be welcomed home this summer by your loved ones!

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