Reflections on life and death

I attended two funerals this summer. First it was my last remaining grandparent - not unexpected. Then, last week, the 28-year-old sister of one of my hometown friends - very unexpected. In between, the news reported the deaths of two larger-than-life Texans, Ladybird Johnson and Marvin Zindler. May they all rest in peace.

I'm afraid I don't have anything profound to say. But the topic of life and death has been on my mind nevertheless. I think it had been something like 15 years since I'd been to a funeral. This most recent one is the only one I've attended where the deceased was younger than I am. Her death has affected me though I did not know her well. The funeral procession, led by two or three dozen motorcyclists from the Southeast Texas chapter of the San Jacinto High Rollers, was quite impressive. All along the route from Groves to Port Neches, people came out of their houses to see. She was buried at the same place my grandmother was, on the Neches River. My parents already have their plots there, too.

My cruiser

Driving back to Houston afterwards I vowed to get myself in shape and take better care of my health. Can't say I've actually done something about that yet, but it's still a goal. One idea is to start commuting on my bike on days the weather permits. I need to get a helmet and some safety lights.