October 19, 2004
I'm sporting a lot of wood for you guys
As I mentioned on Bill's blog, I have plenty of wood to burn for the Witches' Night bonfire.
Twigs/Kindling:
Big branches:
The small metal bar in each picture is a standard 12-inch ruler, just for a frame of reference.
October 02, 2004
On Doug De Witt's funeral
Bill De Witt (II) has asked that I share my thoughts about Doug's funeral and the following reception. (His thoughts on the subject are available here.)
This was the first funeral I have ever attended. I got to the chapel around 2:45 PM, and the place was packed. The pews were full, and a large number of those of us attending were “standing-room only.” I found out later that there was a group of people who never even made it inside. Aside from the De Witt and Runing families, the only person I recognized was Andy Barnes (Sam and Bill Barnes’s father). As Bill (II) mentioned, the speakers at the chapel service were Bill De Witt (I), Elizabeth De Witt, Doug Bradley and Coach Dunaway (sp?). Bill (I) spoke about how Doug grew up, and Doug’s plan to turn his interest in public administration towards cleaning up South Gate. Elizabeth spoke of how she considered Doug the older brother that she never had. (Though there’s no replacing Doug, I hope that she can find older-brother-type guidance in Bill (II) and/or Ed). Doug Bradley spoke of Doug’s warm, outgoing personality and his mechanical inclinations. Finally, Coach Dunaway spoke of Doug’s football days, and how much he grew as a result of that.
After the chapel service, Doug was to be interred. Several people took the opportunity to speak here, including Bill (II). Unfortunately, their words were lost on my limited hearing, so I can’t comment on them. After Doug was lowered into the ground, various family members grabbed shovels and started filling in the grave themselves. Towards the end of that, I saw someone (female, possibly a cousin on the Runing side of the family) ask Grandmother Runing to kiss a handful of dirt and sprinkle it on the gravesite. She steeled her nerves, gave Doug this one last kiss, and said goodbye to him.
Afterwards, Bill (II) and I drove down to Gardendale for the reception. There was a lot of reminiscing. Most of it was about Doug, but some of it wasn’t. I got myself reacquainted with some people I hadn’t seen in a while, and met some new faces who I wouldn’t mind seeing again in happier surroundings. I entertained the younger cousins with stories about the weird things that happen around and to me.
All in all, the day was a fitting tribute to an amazing young man. Rest in peace, Douglas Runing De Witt.