Many of you know my son Sam was called home in March.  Like everyone that has lost a true loved one I visit Sam’s grave often.  On his headstone is an assortment of things. Some I have figured out who brought them. It does not bother me or upset me to not know who brought what.

There are two different groups of sea shells. A poem in a stained glass. Some beautiful artificial flowers. At least three of these as I write this. Two different rocks.  Both are larger than one might expect. A third that is polished and a few coins from Peru . There are live flowers that I keep there. Watering them is not a chore.  Flowers in a bud vase. One is about half full of regular rocks to keep them from overturning. And at times, some other things.

On September 19, his birthday, were two happy birthday balloons. They were good for several days.

I am not bragging about all of this. I am setting the stage for the real story. Sam has a lot of friends and many people here know me. My two daughters are teachers in different systems and also the churches and the x wife. So, the Summerlins are well represented. Once a good friend of mine told me that “The Summerlins and ragweed would soon take this country.”  You get the idea.

This particular day I was walking and talking with God.

That is when it caught my eye and the realization came.

There was a small grave and it had been there for some time. On the tiny headstone was a bright shiny new toy race car.  Written on the small car was “I Love You”. One had to look close to see it. The person that had put this little car together had taken a lot of time in doing it. Then was the finishing touch. Needless to say, I was touched.

I began to look at other graves. One had a birdhouse. One a replica of a coon dog. One had a small cross lying between the man and his wife. There was one with a little horse. There were other objects around the cemetery. Someone had planted a tree in memory of someone

But the thing is, different people express themselves in different ways. They also show their respect, love and memories in many ways.     

And that is o k too. I had my son for 35 years. The people with the car only had theirs for four. But folks, love is love and it comes in many forms.

Remember Starshine, I love you.

Copyright 2009 Ren Summerlin

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Born and raised near BayGeorgia.  One word BayGeorgia.  This is about half way between Funston and Hartsfield. Some time these  folks look down on us. They have a post office; we don't. However we have The Chicken Races, they don't.   I have written ever since I entered the first grade.  I have always loved it.  I love a lot of things but am most impressed by God's work. Sunsets, butterflies, horses, dogs, blue skies, full moons, the stars at night ,pretty women, good food and a whole lot of laughter. Bunch more too. Divorced and live alone. I am house broken and don't snore. Only get up once a night to go to the bathroom. Believe in God, Elvis, Baseball and That Humpty Dumpty was pushed from the wall. He never would have jumped.

       "This is me, Ren."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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