Mon Aug 17 09:09 EDT 1998
Weekend Update: The Burial - August 13-15

My parents, John, Steve, myself, Emioy (my daughter) and Danielle
(John's daughter) rode to Ohio on the S.S. Boat-on-wheels, a very nice
conversion van that made the 12-hour trip tolerable.  Our only
disappointment was that Russell III was prevented from coming along
with us.  It would have been one of the rare times we all get together
and in suits!  We took turns at the wheel and changed our seating
arrangements at every stop.

We arrived at the hotel before dark on Thursday.  Aunt Ruth and Uncle
Ken, Kendra and her three children (Dana, Daniel, and Jennifer) were
there to greet us.  The Edwards family had a memorial service in Texas
earlier in the week.

My brother, Steve, showed me how to properly use an ironing board.  I
had ironed my own shirt once before in California, but no one there
showed me how to do it in short order.  I appreciate his efforts to
educate me -- he is an educator after all, -- but like many students,
I have already forgotten my lesson after the final exam was over.  My
wife ensures that she will be needed by keeping me well-cared for.  I
told Steve that the technical term for my "condition" is "strategic
helplessness."

We buried my grandfather, Russell Metcalfe Sr., on Friday.  Prayer
proffered for the surviving children A.D. (after daddy) are
appreciated.  The only service in Ohio took place at the graveside
where about 30 people had gathered; not bad for a man of his age whose
contemporaries preceded him.  It was a little humorous to us that
Grandpa took his first flight post-humously.  I wonder if he invented
the phrase "if man were meant to fly, God would have given him wings."
I believe that my grandfather lost his fear of flying as soon as he
entered glory.

After the funeral, we placed some flowers from the bouquet at my
mother's parents grave.  Mom's parents passed away around 30 years
ago.  I offered to put "For Sale" signs on my parents' plots, which
are in that cemetary, but we've been out east so long it is unlikely
that they will find their final resting place in Northlawn Cemetary.

Leaving the cemetary, our family caravan of two vehicles drove past
the homes in which they lived while in Ohio.  As with all things, they
were changing, too.  I would not have recognized 954 Aberdeen Street,
so much has changed and it has been so long; 2434 23rd Street had only
minor changes.

On Saturday, we arose early and put the miles behind us, having paid
our last respects, although the memories will not end.  I arrived home
to my own dear family for continuing respects for the living.  Reunion
is always a blessing.  For us who believe, death is just a pause, And
we will be reunited again someday.

Mark
  ,          Mark Metcalfe  ,d88b.d88b,  O love that will not let me go
  \_0__,    (978) 446-6451  88888888888   I rest my weary soul in Thee
    M                       `Y8888888Y'  I give Thee back the life I owe
   .|\. metcalfe@cadence.com  `Y888Y'   That in Thine ocean depths its
  Cadence Design Systems, Inc.  `Y'   flow may richer, fuller be.