Well, it's done. My father-in-law’s funeral turned out to be the best crappy day of my life.

It was a gathering of the clan and all of the petty grievances and misunderstandings that inevitably occur in a family of this size were laid to rest along with the patron.

He was a WWII vet with a strong Scotch/Irish linage so the Navy sent an honor guard detail to perform military honors. There were also two pipers in full highland dress. All in all, it was a thing of beauty, marred only by the underlying nature of the event. His casket was borne by his six grandsons. He was always one to look to taking care of business and he was pleased, many years ago, when the sixth grandson was born since there would be exactly enough to serve as bearers.

In a standing room only gathering, no one sat in his chair, either in the living room or at the dining table. His presence was still tangible even though he was physically absent and I expected to see him sitting there, glowing like Obi Wan. I cannot shake the sense that this was something of a miracle, this comforting peace that overlaid the sorrow of losing him and brought this family so close together.

I'm supposed to write about woodworking and business so I will say this: If my shop ever worked as well as this, none of the problems we talk about would ever even arise.

D.D.