in thanks to Ray and Angie for setting us off on the right paths into the world

Over the last 7 years, we have perfected the ritual and the art of spending a day at the cemetery with Ray and Angie.

On our initial visits it was a "dusting off" of the headstones, weeds were pulled, stories were told, tears were shed, and away we went.

Maple Leaf Cemetery in Harrison Arkansas is a pretty spot though and we have learned as we have gotten older, to just hang out and appreciate it.

The trees, while not as spectacular as some years, were still lovely. This year the sky was blue, temps were in the upper 60's, there were light breezes, and shade was ample.

Now in addition to "dusting" the headstones we give them a good spray down and scrub out whatever is growing in the letters and the cracks. The old flowers are removed, and new fresh arrangements are made. We stuff rocks in among the stems to keep them secure, and amazingly enough they always are there the following year. If you would have told me 20 years ago that I would be leaving fake flowers on my parents graves each year I would have asked you what you had been smoking. Fake flowers? No way! But everyone does it at this cemetery and I just love the way it looks.

A new golf tee is left for dad and a twist tie for mom, a few rocks and sea shells, and then it's time for the traditional shots of bourbon, raising our glasses in thanks to Ray and Angie for setting us off on the right paths into the world.

Photos are always taken. Lots of photos. Then we get out the cooler, settle into our chairs, and have lunch. Right there. At the cemetery. With mom and dad. We used to go someplace for lunch, but this is SOOOOO much better. We have the best table, our sandwiches are always perfect, and no arguing about who is picking up the check. On the side are chips, grapes, pickles, pretzels, carrots, apples, and a couple of oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert.

It's always the best part of our trip. Followed closely by the annual Moss Family Putt-Putt tournament, which I might have already mentioned that I won this year.

All our long gone family members remain with us in the stories we tell and the memories we have. Dottie had such a great idea when she suggested 7 years ago we start this ritual. I don't know how long we will do it, but I am pretty sure until there is just "one post left in the fence"... or however that saying goes.

P.S. As we were leaving the cemetery this year, I spotted this concrete pup sitting faithfully at the corner of a plot. High marks to the person who did this.