The Gathering

It is Monday and I am in Dixon with Gary. He was ready to come home yesterday morning and then his aunt Shirley died in the nursing home. Now it is time for the gathering.

I arrived early because I remembered that Gary was a great comfort to me when my mother died. He took me for long walks in woods and marshes to look at life going on. It was my thought that he and I could visit some of the nature areas around here this week. There are four preserves in the area that should have some interesting birds during this migration season.

His sister Kathe, the executor, will be here on Wednesday to finalize funeral plans and talk to the lawyer to settle accounts and discuss the will. The ownership of this farm passes to Kathe and Gary. It is a big farm and worth a great deal. Now they must decide what to do with it. Once the probate process is over, it seems Gary can live comfortably for the rest of his days.

On Thursday, Gary's nephew Angelo will be driving down from Appleton to help with clearing up some of the buildings. Shirley's two cats must find a home somewhere. Perhaps the farmers who rent this land will take them.

On Friday, Amanda, the niece, will be here to look at family heirlooms. More decisions will be made. On Friday night we will meet other relatives for a private meal at a local restaurant. The funeral was delayed so the many out of town relatives can come.

Shirley set out specific funeral instructions. There will be no viewing, no church service. A few words will be said at the cemetery over the closed coffin on Saturday morning and that will be that. I will head home immediately afterward and Gary, Kathe, Angelo and Amanda will follow on Sunday.

The final dates will be chiseled on the tombstone and that will be the end of Shirley's story. She had no children. Will anyone ever wonder who she was?