A Touch On The Shoulder
	Amidst the beautiful bank of love and flowers. My friends gathered to say a final farewell to their loved one. My friend Richard, along with his family had come to say goodbye to his father. As I entered the room I saw Richard and his three beautiful daughters and the rest of their family gathered at the front of the chapel talking. They were in good spirits. Their family always held up well. I didn't want to interrupt so I sat about two rows behind him and quietly waited. He was preoccupied and didn't know I was there but soon when he was alone and silently meditating with his head down I thought I'd take the opportunity to say hello and give him my sincere condolences. He was about five feet in front of me so I just reached forward with my cane and softly touched him on the shoulder. His head slowly raised. He just looked forward and was as still as he could be. Then he slowly turned his head around toward me and his face had the strangest expression. I whispered "What?" He said "My father used to always tap me on the shoulder with his cane to get my attention. The feel of that was unmistakable and I'd know it anywhere. I was sitting here looking at him then with my head down and my eyes closed I thought he tapped me on the shoulder with his cane." Lynn Ash