Celebration of Life

Shana's Uncle Bub died unexpectedly last week. It was quite a shock.

Shana and her parents drove up to Vergas on Monday for the visitation, and the kids and I came Tuesday for the funeral. It was only the second funeral the kids remember attending. (Maria was at my Dad's funeral - but being only 3 doesn't recall any of it.) It was nice to see the wonderful turnout. The Community Center was packed with friends and family. We saw folks we hadn't seen in years which was nice.

We've had some interesting discussions since the funeral. The Dude was curious why Bub wasn't buried in a suit. He thought everyone was buried in a suit. I told him that the family decides on burial clothes. For the record, I thought Bub looked great in jeans and an outdoorsy/hunting-style shirt.

The Dude and I also keep thinking of "one more thing" we will miss about Bub. Summers at the cabin won't be the same without him. Who will take us fishing? Who else knows all the good spots on West McDonald? Of course we will continue to fish on our own, but who will help me clean the fish we do catch? I'm no good at it - and a lot goes to waste. Bub was like my Uncle Ole - he could filet a fish in seconds, and not leave any of the good stuff behind.

From a personal point of view, I lament the passing of one more male elder in my life. The number of older, father-figures is really dwindling. Of course that happens as one approaches 50, but it doesn't make it any easier. As for women, I'm blessed to have my Mom, my mother-in-law, many aunts and other elders of the female persuasion. Long may they live!

Visiting Vergas gave us the chance to see the cabin and the farm in off-season - something I've never done in the almost 20 years I've been a part of the Crosson family. Down at the cabin, everything seemed smaller. Without leaves on the trees and underbrush, you could see farther - making everything look closer.

[Maria on the shore.]

After touring the closed up cabin and taking pictures around the cabin, we headed out - but not without stopping by the farm.