When I was walking in the woods the on Saturday I had an interesting experience.  I parked in an area designated for parking.  I was the only car.  I walked a little ways down the river. I saw a rock with a name painted on it and the dates…like a headstone or a memorial stone.  It was on a bed of rocks and I thought it was a nice gesture there on the riverbank, a wonderful memorial in this picturesque place. I continued and crossed a small creek then hiked up to some giant rocks.  I sat on one for a long time just to watch the river and listen. 

Soon, on the road that runs next to the river, there were
8 to 10 cars.  I thought it odd that there what seemed to be a procession in the middle of nowhere.  From a distance, I thought it sounded like they parked in the same parking area where I was parked.  I was not concerned, but I did think I had better head back soon.  I figured I would hear voices since it was a kind of cleared out area with fire pits and such.  Maybe they were having a reunion, or some kind of party.  As I climbed down from my perch and began my hike back, I noticed a crowd of people gathered.  They were drinking beer and dressed all in black.  I figured they were bikers, only without bikes. I was a bit nervous because they were between my car and me. 

As I scoped out a roundabout path, I noticed they were all wearing the same black hooded sweatshirts.  It was unusually quiet for that number of people.  I noticed that they were gathered around the rock I had seen earlier in a semi-circle.  At one moment, five of them threw ashes up in the air and into the river.  There were hugs and tears, followed by toasting.  Evidently, I had stumbled into a memorial service.  It was an odd thing to watch not really knowing what was happening.  However, even from a distance I could feel the sorrow.  I had just been inspired by the nature all around me and then this unexpected event charged in to “my” space.  Only it did not take away from my thoughts, rather added to them. The commonality of death was once again in my face.  It was not morbid or depressing but an urging to look carefully at life and to take nothing for granted.  The ashes blowing in the wind were crying out my motto…live fully!