September 23, 2014 was a sunny and crisp fall day. It was the type of day that made you want to spend time outside in a park having a picnic, playing sports or maybe just lying on the grass having a lazy day appreciating the beautiful blue sky and sunshine. The clouds were up high and just rolling across the sky. The slight breeze swayed the branches on a nearby tree. We should have been enjoying the picture perfect day. However, the beauty of that day escaped me. As my mind cleared I wondered why so many people were standing in a circle? Maybe it’s a special occasion. No? Not really! Everyone is dressed in their Sunday best. I felt I was outside the circle looking at this gathering. It did not seem right. The attire was not what someone would wear to a park for a relaxing day off. Some people are weeping, they all seemed very sad. What was happening?

I noticed a Priest, standing in the middle of the group. He looked like he was saying prayers. Suddenly I realized this was not a park, but a cemetery. The Priest and all the people were standing at a grave site. Why were we here? What happened to bring all these people to this place on this day? The Priest said a few words as the people passed the grave. They each placed a single rose on the casket. They began to walk away from the gravesite to a line of cars that were parked on the roadway. As the people moved slowly to their cars, an elderly man was seen walking with his head down, shoulders slumped forward. A man and woman seemed to be supporting him. He was slowly making his way to a limousine. As he started to enter the limousine, someone said, “John, are you okay”? He didn’t answer. This was a dreadful day. John had just laid his spouse to rest after fifty-four years of marriage. On this fateful day, his journey began…