I noticed cemeteries in rural areas a bit more lately and I keep an eye out for them. You discover some history about a place from who was interred there. You may discover a few things about yourself.
I have corresponded online with a fellow biker who lives in Calgary that I met in an online forum. We met for the first time in Kaslo, British Columbia. I was out on a road trip and he sent me a text saying he was in the area and that we might meet up. We did for a few minutes at the corner of A Avenue and 4th Street in Kaslo on July 2, 2015. We were not going the same way after that point so our paths diverged.
We kept up an irregular correspondence via email and texts trying to get together for a few rides. We have a few mutual interests and I relied on him for some motorcycle advice. Our schedules never quite meshed and we never did get togther for a ride. In September he was not feeling well and found out he had cancer. I visited in the hospital where he stayed for three weeks. After that I managed to visit him at his home and met his family.
Last week he moved into a hospice in Calgary. He knows he will be spending his final days there. I visited him last week. I have no idea how long he has. I sincerely wish I could have got to know him better and that we could have taken a few trips with the motorcycles.
My interest in cemeteries is linked to my interest in local history. It has a personal link as well. It is a cliche but it holds that none of us know what kind of life we will lead, what kind of impact we will have, or how long the journey will be. A walk among the tombstones will show you names and dates of those who went before you. I think we do this partially to mark that we were here with the hope that we will not be forgotten. The truth is that time will erase most of us. We have families, make friends, create things with the intention that some part of us will live on. I like to think when I see these places that the people there made a positive impact and that they do live on in some way.
We're dust in the wind, BW. It's my scholarly opinion that it's the quality of the trip, not the length that matters. I hope your visit cheered him up a bit.
ReplyDeleteI tend to side with you. I believe we should try to do the right thing while we are here.
DeleteIt was a special thing for you to do, to stop in and see your friend. I agree with Glen, it's the quality of the trip..not the length. Doing the right thing, is the right thing...even if you still feel...empty.
ReplyDelete