Blue Collar Condolences. Driving a little more than two hours yesterday in a funeral procession served as quality time to observe the human condition - and from that singular experience I would offer that, for the most part, blue collar workers get it, as it concerns respect for the dead and the grieving. The rest, not so much. Two hours of driving in procession following the lead car and ahead of the hearse and the family revealed a lot about tradition, compassion and caring. The drivers of pickup trucks, service trucks, older cars, tractor trailers and farm equipment, upon seeing the approach of a funeral procession, nearly to a person pulled their vehicles off to the side of the road, with many of the men removing their hats. Cadillacs, BMWs, Volvos, Mercedes, new cars, fancy yuppie pickup trucks, not so much. In fact, of the latter group, several nearly caused accidents because they werent watching out for those who were pulling to the side of the road out of respect. It was amazing. Oh, I know, it is not universal and there are no laws of consistency here but, from this one day and this one experience, I cannot remember a time when I have been quite so proud of my blue collar background. And, yes, the observation I am making is quite class-driven and based on the assumption of what kind of people drive what kind of vehicles, but take a moment or two and look around you. Who drives what in your town . . . and who pulls over for funeral processions? When the speed of life becomes so driven that you do not have time to show respect to the dead and the grieving, you have lost sight of your humanity and connection to others. To those who took the time to pull over yesterday and offer of your time, your care and your love to the family: Thank you. You did make a difference. To those who didnt notice or couldnt take the time: I pray others have more time and respect for you than you have for yourself. Tis a pity, really, that you are so busy for, someday, the hearse will be your ride and those you love will be behind you . . . and I wonder who will pause to show you respect. I know who will pause, it will be the blue collar folk who honor life, even as they respect the dead. It will be those who have an appreciation of the full circle of life and love the gift they are given. It will be those who do not see others by class, but by our shared humanity. I pray you dont mind beat up old pickup trucks, tractor trailers, service trucks, older cars and farm equipment pulled to the side of the road as your procession passes by because, if yesterday was any measure, that is who will be there. Personally I can only hope to be so remembered . . . with Blue Collar Condolences.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:57:35 +0000
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