Despite the wet, cold, dreary weather, the graveside service for my Mom couldn't have been warmer or more beautiful. My Dad and I got in the car to drive to my brother's house on Lake Martin to spend some more quality time with the rest of my family. As I started to drive us from the funeral home where the service had been held, my Dad started to cry. "I don't want to leave her there in the cemetery," he said between sobs. "She's not there, Dad," I quickly replied. "She's here with us. That's just an empty body up there in that casket." My words seemed to comfort him and we continued on our way. After eating and relaxing for a while at the lake, we started on our journey back home to Alabaster. As usual when we make trips to Dadeville, we stopped at our building in Jackson's Gap to check on things. When we were ready to depart again, Dad said, "Let me drive for a while, until it starts to get dark, and then you can drive the rest of the way home. "Sure," I said. "I would like to be the passenger for a while." Dad drove until the day's light started to fade and then stopped on the side of the highway so I could take over. As we both got out of the car to exchange seats and then climbed in again, Dad said excitedly, "There's a heart down there!" "A heart? Down where?" I asked. "Down in the floorboard!" Dad replied with a joyful tone. He then reached down and pulled up what appeared to be a paper napkin that looked as if it had been folded purposefully into the shape of a heart. He said, "That wasn't down there this morning! Your Mama put that there! She put it there for me to find." "See, I told you she was with us!" I stated happily.
Thanks for the affirmation, Mom!
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