Simple Gestures

My father would have been 97 this past Saturday. Although he died 20 years ago this past August, some things surrounding that time are still very clear in my mind. We had lived in Montgomery for over 35 years at the time, but it was his wish to be buried in the family plot in the town where he grew up. An evening memorial service was held in Montgomery, and then family members and friends gathered at the funeral home in Crenshaw County for a last viewing and prayer. As the procession made its way to the cemetery about 20 miles away. Along the way an overall-clad man, probably taking a break for lunch from work on his farm, was getting his mail from the mailbox at the roadside. When he saw the procession approaching, he turned toward us, removed his well-worn cap, and stood respectfully until we passed. This simple gesture for a stranger remains one of my most vivid memories of the day. I am touched by his kindness each time I remember it.

Yesterday the service for my father's 95 year old first cousin's was held at the same funeral home. Although her burial was in a different cemetery, we traversed much of the same route. Although I did not see that farmer, it made an impression on me that for the entire route, with the exception of three vehicles, all cars in the oncoming lanes pulled to the side of the road and waited until we passed. You might say, well, in the country..... but part of our route was along a divided 4 lane highway with a 65mph speed limit. Yet people stopped, because that's what people there still do.

Earlier when I mentioned a visit to that small town an acquaintance asked "Do you feel like you are stepping back in time when you go there?" in a tone of voice implying that people there are backward. I answered "no," but did not elaborate. Yesterday I realized what my answer should have been "When I go there, I do not step backward. I step into a place where customs are respected, and the common courtesies and simple gestures extended even to strangers still mean a lot.