Middleboro Review and so on

"Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God." Katie Phang May 25 When I go to visit my father’s grave, there is a consistent ritual I follow: I buy flowers from the woman who is always there on the side of the road with her little stand/van outside of the cemetery. I drive down the same road in the cemetery and follow it looking for the familiar landmarks that lead me to where my father is buried. I make the walk, always careful where I step, out of respect and perhaps fear, lest I disturb the dead. When I get to my father’s headstone, I immediately tidy up the surroundings because that’s what he would expect. I arrange the fresh flowers around his grave, and then at last I sit and talk with my father. I tell him the latest about our family and the exploits of his fierce granddaughter, the little dog that has taken over our lives, and about me and my struggles and successes. After some tears and laughs, I walk back to my car, usually feeling better that ...