Journal entry by Joanne Negstad — Sep 13, 2018
Today was my first visit to Joanne's grave in a month. Soon the marker should be placed. Visiting her grave confirms the decision to have a traditional funeral and burial in SD. There is something about having a place to go with my sorrow that is helpful, and the tangibility of her place in the earth makes me focus. Naturally, there is a side of me that would embrace denial, sometimes that seems as if it would be easier. The better side of me knows that denial would not honor Joanne, nor help me. Standing at her grave strips away any denial that may have crept in.
The local cemetery is also a form of community. The people buried near her are not strangers, they are people I knew, and there is even comfort in that. Clifford Dahl, is buried six feet from Joanne. His brother married my cousin. Very near is his sister Doris (Dahl) Skordahl. In college I rented a room from Doris and her husband and she was my Luther League adviser. Yes, Joanne is among friends. I take comfort wherever I can find it.
Joanne is also with family; in the same plot as my grandparents Lars and Sigrid Negstad. Both of whom died before I was born. With Joanne in their proximity I feel more connected to them. What would they think, if they knew that their grandson's wife, and eventually their grandson, would rest next to them?
Blessings,
al
The local cemetery is also a form of community. The people buried near her are not strangers, they are people I knew, and there is even comfort in that. Clifford Dahl, is buried six feet from Joanne. His brother married my cousin. Very near is his sister Doris (Dahl) Skordahl. In college I rented a room from Doris and her husband and she was my Luther League adviser. Yes, Joanne is among friends. I take comfort wherever I can find it.
Joanne is also with family; in the same plot as my grandparents Lars and Sigrid Negstad. Both of whom died before I was born. With Joanne in their proximity I feel more connected to them. What would they think, if they knew that their grandson's wife, and eventually their grandson, would rest next to them?
Blessings,
al
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