May 22, 2023 - Add This For Me

     Last Thursday Teresa and I attended her uncle’s funeral near Dayton, Ohio.  As far as funerals go, it was worth the trip.
     His pastor was spot on.  Maybe the best funeral I have heard in a while.  Her uncle was a marvelous follower of Jesus who had helped plant their church decades ago.  Even when he was close to 90 he was still serving in lots of areas, including mowing the two acre lot.
     We rode in the funeral procession to the cemetery.  I have been in a lot of funeral processions over the years.  Usually they are pretty mundane.
     I do remember a few of them.  I saw a guy get picked up in Fayette County for passing a funeral procession.  That brought a smile.
     I remember being in one in Cynthiana where the sheriff at the time drove 15 miles an hour.  That didn’t make me smile.
     I remember when we were in Winchester I had a double funeral.  The funeral cars were on the opposite side of the church and a well-meaning person thought that they had missed getting in the procession.  They headed toward the cemetery and pretty much everyone on that side of the church followed.  The funeral cars and I came at the end of the procession.  I guess maybe a first shall be last thing.
     But I will never forget the funeral procession for Teresa’s uncle.  Maybe this can be added when I go.
     There was only one deputy sheriff for helping with the funeral procession.  He was a short guy, not that I would notice, and he was riding on a motorcycle.  It has been a while since I have seen a motorcycle lead a funeral procession.
     Here’s the kicker.  The procession was on a four-lane road.  The deputy led us out of the parking lot and stopped traffic at the first of two lights.
     Teresa and I were about in the middle of the procession.  After we were maybe a quarter of a mile past the light, we hear the motorcycle.  The deputy was booking it about 70 mph passing the cars and the hearse to get to the next light before the procession.
     That might be the first time in my life that I have laughed out loud while being in a funeral procession. 
     And to top it off, the deputy repeated the scenario for the second light, again flying by all of us with his motorcycle humming like bikes do.
     I laughed a second time.
     If it could be worked out, when I am being transported from the church to the cemetery, find a short Fayette County deputy who rides a motorcycle.  One final laugh for those left behind might be worth it.