A Torch Is Passed

Today we gathered the pine limbs we will need to put together the grave sprays for the Christmas season. We'll be joined by my cousin and one of my aunts to assemble them on Saturday.

Before this year the job was done at my aunt's house and before that at my Mother's. Now my Mother is one of the folks whose grave will receive decoration and my aunt has moved into an assisted living home. This year is the first for me to host the festivities and I'm glad my cousin will be there. It's wonderful to spend time with them and create these visible markers of internal respect and gratitude.

Still, the task brings some sadness to mind and makes me wonder about the future.