Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life.
As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery in the Nova Scotia back country.
As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn’t stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt bad and apologized to the men for being late.
I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play.
The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man. And as I played “Amazing Grace” the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head was hung low, my heart was full.
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, “I never seen anything like that before, and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.”
Apparently, I’m still lost...must be a man thing.
Hey, where are my royalties? I know you make big bucks off this blog!
ReplyDeleteIf I had been there, I would have cried for one more reason--I HATE Amazing Grace on bagpipes. Talk about a cliche! Every time a cop, soldier, or fireman dies, if they can get one to show up, there's going to be some fellow in kilts playing Amazing Grace. I don't like the song anyway, so for it to be so overused is a puzzler.
Snowflake, this is blog is strictly a non-profit enterprise. Any monies you wish to donate, however, will go to my favorite charity, The Robert H. Brague Foundation, just as soon as Lois Lerner's folks at the IRS approve the 501(c)(3) paperwork.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you regarding bagpipes. Their screeching makes my ears hurt. The fellow who works the sound board for our church services actually told me once that his favorite instrument is bagpipe. I was in such a state of shock that all I could manage to respond was "Really?"....
Bagpipe music ALWAYS makes my eyes leaked. And it doesn't matter what it played or how skilled the player.
ReplyDeleteLove the snippet of Snowbrush wisdom though.
Thanks.
I like bagpipes okay, it's Amazing Grace on bagpipes that I hate, and I especially hate that it has become a cliche for a public servant dying in the performance of duty.
ReplyDeleteOh go on you two! There's nothing more stirring than the bagpipes and yes, they bring tears to my eyes too. I love them and only wish I had some Scottish ancestors so I could claim them as part of my heritage. .... I bet you don't like kilts either ????
ReplyDeleteSo did Piper Snowbroom get to the homeless man's funeral or not?...It is possible that the ghost of the homeless man will haunt Snowbrush until the wailing pipes are played over the fellow's resting place. By the way is it possible to apply for a grant from The Robert H. Brague Foundation? I need some beer money.
ReplyDeleteNo, I didn't go to that funeral, but I've been to others. When I worked at funeral homes, we would sometimes bury a person to whose last rites no one came but the funeral directors, and I was always proud of the dignity with which they handled the event, funeral directors not generally being known for their solemnity except when they have to be.
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