My Grandmother and the Veteran

I awoke this morning to another beautiful sunrise. The sky was a brilliant blue and my thoughts immediately turned to going for a walk with my dog Jack and enjoying a cup of coffee on the back porch. As we walked my thoughts turned to my grandmother Stella. I am not sure why, maybe it is the fact she passed away two years ago this October.

As I dressed for the day I glanced at the clock and knew I needed to stop by the cemetery to say a prayer for her and my grandfather. I am saddened by the fact neither one of them had an opportunity to see my children grow into adults but I know she cherished the time she had with each of them. I wish often my grandfather, a lover of football would have been able to see my son achieve the accomplishments on the field of play as well as off. He would have been proud. When I see my son have a fantastic game I often think of him and know he is watching over Stephen.

As I drove to the cemetery I saw there was a funeral in progress. As I approached the driveway my eyes focused on a flag draped coffin and I knew it was a military funeral. Something told me this was not a WW II veteran who had passed but a young man who had given his life in the fight for freedom. I entered the mausoleum and said my prayer for my grandparents but could not get my mind off the funeral I had just passed. I sat outside briefly basking in the solitude of the cemetery. like magnets my eyes were drawn toward the on-going funeral.  I witnessed two Marines enter their vehicle, a sign the service had ended.

I drove the long way through the cemetery brushing back tears as the memory of my grandmother repeatedly entered my thoughts. I was about to exit the cemetery as I glanced to my left and noticed the once flag draped coffin was now naked and sitting alone atop it’s perch waiting to be lowered into its final resting place. Mourners had left and others were still leaving. My thoughts drifted to the fallen soldier and the hopes he is not soon forgotten. My eyes focused on alone mourner who remained and stood at the side of the coffin of the fallen soldier. His hand was laid with respect on the smooth wood of the coffin now bare of the flag. I, on the other hand watched and looked at the coffin from a safe distance. I said a prayer for him and his family. He gave to this country what I am unsure I would be capable of giving. For his gift I am thankful. I did not know the fallen soldier but he has become linked in my thoughts with my grandmother and when I think of her I will think of him and all of the soldiers who have served and continue to serve.