June 19, 2012

Bagpiper at a Funeral

This story came to me from someone who got it from someone else and so on. It was worth the repeatings.

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a Pauper’s’ cemetery in the back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn’t stop for directions.

I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and  the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my  heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man. And as I played ‘Amazing Grace,’ the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say; “I NEVER SEEN  NOTHIN’ LIKE THAT BEFORE AND I’VE BEEN PUTTING IN SEPTIC TANKS FOR TWENTY  YEARS.”

Apparently I’m still lost….it’s a man thing.

Comments

One Comment on Bagpiper at a Funeral

  1. Julia on Tue, 28th Aug 2012 3:01 am CDT
  2. Kollin goodall was such an AMAZING peorsn! I’m so glad I was in his life! 7 months may not be a long time to some people but it is when you love and care for someone like I did!! We all miss Kollin and we wish he was back on earth but then it’s okay cause we all know we will see him again and that he is watching us and keeping us safe while he is catching up with his dad!! We love you Kollin! Forever in our hearts! -3 -3 -3





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