On a cold morning in February, 2012, a line of cars carrying pallbearers slowly snaked
its way seven miles toward a small town church for a funeral. As they neared their destination, a small detour was made. Rounding the corner and pulling up at the curb of 613 Purdy Street, the cars pulled to a halt, and nine young adults left their families behind and ambled over toward a whitewashed concrete block retaining wall that once surrounded a flowerbed. They carried with them a photo taken 27 years before; the only photo containing all nine grandchildren of Rachel Schmidt, their grandmother. On a day filled with sadness and loss, there was a sense of joy and pride at the realization that THIS gathering and recreation of an old photo would have brought immense joy to their grandmother. On a day when they were tasked with the high honor of carrying her to her final resting place, they took the time to create a memory in her honor . . . and she would have loved it.
(by Aunt Sitty)
