An American Funeral

My Aunt Phebe was laid to rest in Buffalo Cemetery near several other family members that have passed on in years past. As a child I would help clean the grass from around the family members plots that were already there. It was a duty but one lovingly performed. Seems like nowadays those kinds of maintenance days are left to the paid staff of the upkeep committee and no longer considered a family duty. I realize the body buried there isn't the person any longer, but those days when we'd gather to pull the grass and weeds from around the stones, clean the surfaces and place fresh flowers, those were times where the family bonds were renewed and stories of the past were passed on to those who would create the future family. Sad we don't seem to put as much importance on those moments as we once did.