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Show -i4c- Pepp-errrint I-ionia; to, had been old people. I went with ma to Charlie McGrady's funeral last winter because pa had been out of town. Ma hated going to places like weddings and funerals alone. I hated going to funerals period, but I guess it was necessary. Charlie was older than Grandma Ruby when he died, and he had lived a good, long life. The pastor had said"not to mourn for a man that had received so much from life. Life had been good to old Charlie. He had been blessed with a good woman, loyal children and healthy grandchildren. God had been good to Charlie. Now it was time for Charlie to return to heaven and help God." Of course I couldn't remember it word for word, but that was the general idea. The pastor could not say the same things about Russ. His life had been short. There hadn't been any wife or kids. God had not been good to Russ. Russ had been sick from birth. He never had a chance right from the start. The pastor would have to think of different thoughts if he wanted to comfort us. I'm sure they held school on the day of Russ' funeral, but nobody must have gone. The church was packed, even the choir seats. I saw people there I never would have expected. I saw Billy Crowley and all of the Anderson sisters. I saw Miss Isom there with Mrs. Richards and some other teachers. Miss Isom was even crying. I don't think I had ever seen her do anything but shout orders. It was nice to know she was human too. Mrs. Richards had come in her regulation gym shoes. I know she would have been embarrassed if she knew, but I guess she left the school in such a hurry she forgot. I watched all of the people slowly fill up the seats. I counted blondes and bald men. I looked for unusual glasses. I did anything I could think of to avoid looking at the satin-lined box by the pulpit. |