The Fair and Remembering

Today rounds out the 2013 edition of the county fair. It was a great week with early mornings, late nights, good food and entertainment, and the added plus of near-perfect weather. But this year, there were also some tears.

Grandpa wasn't there.

I didn't see him cruising around on his golf cart or serving the performers or keeping the cowboys in line. He wasn't there to tape off our spot for the parade or hand out carnival ride tickets. We didn't talk horses or take bets on the scores of the 8 second rides.

Even though he was not there, the fair board and my extended family remembered him well.

There was a tribute featuring one of Grandpa's favorite gospel groups and ten friends and family members who recounted stories of Grandpa's grace and passion.

And the family gathered around the stage to watch the rodeo. He was remembered in the cowboy way with a riderless horse and a prayer.

In his honor, the cowboys and cowgirls wore aqua colored bandanas and busted out of the "Herb Maust" chute.

We took in all of the riding, roping, and barrel racing and hung out past midnight watching slack.

This is the first time that I have lost someone close to me.  The grief process is new and strange. Along with the loss of my grandpa, I've watched some family traditions fall by the way side. We missed the pony races, the fair parade, and the Maust family retreat. The family does not get together as much as we used to. Such is the nature of families I suppose, as we get older and the family gets larger. But it felt like we were dishonoring Grandpa.

Last night on our way home, with all of these thoughts swirling around, I came to a different conclusion. The fair won't ever be the same and our family won't ever be the same. But that does not mean that we are dishonoring him. We will always remember Grandpa, and we will carry on his legacy through our lives. We do not need to act like he is still here by doing everything that we used to do. The wonderful reality is that he is not here. He lived his life well and earned his eternal reward.