"Your son's gravesite is in the middle of the street."

This wasn't supposed to happen. And less than a day before the burial service.

I thought everything was set yesterday. The best-laid plans …

Joshua Brubaker

WTF? I’ve been a consummate planner my whole life. In this case:

• The Certificates of Transit were obtained - check!

• Beautiful coffin - check!

• Gravesite paid for; the vaulting company arranged; headstone selected and designed; headstone foundation ordered - check!

Everything was set for the Saturday, October 7 burial.

Then Eric called.

It was 2 pm yesterday (Friday). Kay and I had just picked up some pictures I sent for printing at Walgreens for the display at Josh’s gravesite.

“Mr. Taylor? Hi, this is Eric from the vaulting company. Something is wrong here. The grave number you gave me doesn’t exist. My measurements place it in the middle of the road,” he continued.

What??

I told him I was about 20 minutes from home and would call him once I located the property deed. Either I read it wrong, or he wrote down the number incorrectly.

The deed was in my dresser drawer. “Section 1, Lot 4, Block 2, Grave number 3. Is that what I gave you before?” I asked.

“Yes. But that grave is right in the middle of the gravel access road,” Eric replied.

“I don’t understand,” I shouted in concern. “I need to see this. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.”

Jumping in my Colorado, I immediately phoned the Township Clerk’s office. How could a mistake like this happen? I paid for a nice plot shown on her map in the back section NEAR the road, but many feet well to the right of it. Not in it!

There was no answer. The recorder said the Clerk’s offices were closed on Friday afternoons.

Oh, shit, I thought.

I then tried to reach the Township Supervisor. Same thing. I left an urgent message. I needed help. The family was coming from out of town in less than 20 hours. Please call me!

I panicked, imagining the disappointment everyone would have if we couldn’t bury them after waiting so long. I guess we avoided doing it closer to the date of death for some unspoken reason.

**

Now it was time.

Our son Josh left us five years ago; his partner Tracy, three years ago. Of course, we kept most of Josh’s ashes at home this whole time, except those spread in Ireland, those we placed under a tree we planted at Tara’s Royal Oak home, and those requested by Josh’s step sisters.

While Josh passed away from cancer, I think Tracy died of a broken heart. None of us were the same after Joshua left us, but Tracy never recovered. We tried to help him. While not related, he was considered one of our close family members.

Once we agreed months ago to move forward, I purchased the cemetery plot at the Township offices. We planned the burial ceremony, the display, and a luncheon. Tara invited friends and relatives. I thought we were ready.

**

Finally arriving at the cemetery Friday afternoon, I re-read the grave number, row, and plot number again. Eric and I measured the lot spacing from the in-ground marker. He was right; the grave was in the roadway. The Township map was in error. They should not have sold that space. What do we do?

I can’t tell Kay. She’s already on pins and needles about the final resting for her only son tomorrow. She is very “into” details and always wants things just right. Upsetting her now would be a disaster.

And I certainly can’t tell Tara. She’s been very emotional about the loss of her brother and his partner. She spent a good part of the day today just looking for an old picture of them in a frame that held special memories. She was hoping to add that to the display planned for this event. Telling either of them we could not do this would bring even more tears and concern.

I was just gonna have to fix this somehow. So I made an Executive Decision. We would move everything several feet to the right and bury them in another plot, regardless of the official paperwork.

**

Thirteen people showed up today on this cold and wet Saturday morning for the burial.

Before we arrived, the vaulting company had dug the hole and placed a green carpet over it. They also placed a small table nearby for the two urns.

Kay and I set up ten chairs in front of the long, low table we brought on which to place the infant-sized coffin. Tara placed the two urns in the coffin, leaving the lid exposed. We peppered the table with photos, mementos, and a small angel statue. One family member brought a trifold display of photos that had been made for an earlier memorial service around the time of Tracy’s death.

People gathered and remembered the days their loved ones were happy and healthy. Both were terrific artists. Both were full of life. Both died way too young.

Everyone was surprised it was only 46° this morning. We talked about how just days ago, it was nearly 80 degrees. But that is Michigan.

Tara spoke words from her heart and read Bible verses. Then Kay did the same. Little 5-year-old Nora recited a Bible verse from memory. It was a very nice ceremony for two wonderful young men. We will never forget them.

We finally laid them to rest … with or without the official paperwork.