Today, I took part in my first funeral in Saudi Arabia. I didn't know the person, I don't even know his name nor had I seen him before but it still pricked and it numbed and it sobered me with a sprinkle of humbleness.
Apparently, screeching rubber and searing turns with a gravel turn table resulted in putting a full-stop to his physical presence, an interim in those that loved him and a hyperlink to a new adventure for his soul.
This though hasn't been my first. I have been a part of my Gran' Pa's but have missed out on a lot of other passing-ons primarily due to the physical distance. This was different in some aspects.
I realized that in this part of the world, graves are un-marked as it is against the 'school of thought' to do otherwise. I was also given a small pictoral demonstration of how the grave is dug and structured to ease decomposition, prevent the stench from coming out and protection from scavenging animals should there be any. I was part of a tradition that I was very honored to be a part of.
The calmness and the composure exhibited by the person I knew, whose kin was lying a few feet away as he greeted the mourners. Calmness which I'm not very sure I would be able to possess should we trade shoes, God forbid. I tried to pass on as much warmth as a hug and some hollow words could - I hope he's warm.
I wonder if 'he' saw us from above, perched upon a cloud. Wishful thinking, many would say and I would most likely agree.
Maybe I'm reading too much into this..
1 comment:
my condolences to your friend and his family..prayers for strength to move ahead with life.
i think handling the death of someone close to you, is a difficult emotion to express in words. But one has to move on. Easier said than done. your post reminded me of grandpa's death. It was tough to handle it, although we had known that the inevitable was around the corner. But we weren't still prepared for it. I remember that night after we came back from the graveyard. We talked all throught the night, everyone in the family. We whikled the night away talking about how he laughed, how he joked, how he yelled at us and each of our personal connections with him. Everyone went to bed comforted a LOT. At such times, your family and close ones make you realize the importance of them in your life.
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