Fragments of a Stormy June Afternoon.....

It was a perfect day for a funeral.

A cold wind out of the south, and the rain falling heavily.

We dodged at least three severe thunderstorm warnings on our way north to say goodbye to Terry. We had done it the day before at the funeral home, and it was just poor planning to drive up and back twice; but Patti has a cold and I think she would rather have slept in her own bed, then a rented or borrowed one.

It's rained everyday since; I always thought that it was nature, grieving.

Come to find out, it's just a lot of rain.

The service was lovely. The entire town of Makoti, North Dakota showed up. The church was full, and the basement as well. And they were standing outside, in the rain, a field of umbrellas to say goodbye to this man; this local farmer, former mayor, proud member of the American Legion, and recent inductee in the North Dakota American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame.

They told lovely stories about the things he did.
The ball park. The boys showed up in their uniforms.
The hunting parties. The strange story of Terry shooting a buck with his pants in the southerly position.
Laughter is good at funerals. There should be more.

The procession to the cemetery was a sight to behold. In the early darkness that comes with the storm, the headlights stretched back for almost two miles.

The twenty one gun salute from the men of the Legion, who stood proudly in the rain as the graveside service finished.

And then, it was done.

One other thing I would like to add, take it as you will....

Terry was a prankster, and a good one. This was well known, and frequently mentioned in all the tributes. And as I sat in the service, listening to the various tales and fables and biblical references, a semi-large spider made it's way from the ceiling to my head.

I didn't yell. I simply grabbed it, showed it to my wife, and let it go onto the floor which I assume was it's original destination.

Thanks for the spider, Terry.

See ya when I see ya.