Thirty-One
TUESDAY BEING ALL SOULS Day, I get to the Church early. For the past month in the narthex, people have had the opportunity to write the names of their dearly departed in a book of remembrance. It’s a common practice for the names collected to be placed on the altar. I want to get the book in place before Mass starts.
But not before making some additions of my own.
I’m gratified to see the book about half-full. Scanning it, I see some familiar names and handwriting. I put Joan’s name in when I set the book out, along with my dad and my sister Sonya. I also wrote in the name of Father Leonard McCoy. Right below, Helen wrote John’s name along with those of her parents and grandparents.
Flipping through, I see other additions. In Gladys’ flowing handwriting, I see her parents an
