Our family has laid to rest the ashes of my father, Tom, today. We drove up to the cemetery at St. Joseph's Catholic church in Kentland Indiana where Dad attended when growing up on the farm. I was also baptized there! It was very cold with lots of clouds and a really strong wind. My cousin Dick had dug the hole for the simple wooden box holding his ashes. Fr. Rob knows the family for over 20 years now and he lead a simple and short service given that we were all freezing and the older ones couldn't leave the cars due to the cold. Dick had to lie down flat on his chest on the ground to lower the box in the hole. Then he and another cousin, Dave, covered it with dirt and I laid a wreath of roses on top of it. I was very touched by their kind service in this last ceremony for Dad. There is something very important in this ritual for me. It brings me back to the central core and purpose of why we are here. As simple and as profound as love.
We all went to a restaurant for lunch afterwards and enjoyed each others company. The Nageles are a big crowd and the conversation and laughter were a great way to get warmed up from the cold. We are very grateful for our family and all who have been with us in prayer and spirit these last days since he went back to God on Nov 6th. We know that Dad now truly rests in peace.
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