Each day brings with it new challenges. I never really know exactly what to expect and maybe that’s what makes it worthwhile.

For instance, yesterday a person whom I consider a friend came to see me with a problem. She was concerned about why the workers picked up the flowers she had just placed on her relatives’ gravesite. We publish a calendar and place signs at the entrance/exits of the cemetery to inform everyone in advance of when we perform clean-up of the grounds. She happens to work for a company that prides itself in communication and that firmly adheres to rules and guidelines. It hurt my heart (though I didn’t say so) when she said she knew about the signs and the dates but she thought somehow we would know that her flowers had just been placed there the day before. I believe she was aware that we could not possibly be expected to know the exact date and times when a person comes to place decorations.

We spoke for a while longer, I explained our need to have a schedule for clean-up and outlined some of the short and long range plans we have for the cemetery. We parted a short time later, still friends and both a little sad but wiser. I learned that we must always continue to communicate and to do our best to keep everyone informed. Even then sometimes things may be forgotten or ignored. I was also reminded of how important it is to listen carefully before trying to make a decision. In fact, I’m glad I remembered to listen before I told a phone caller why she couldn’t bring dead animals to the cemetery. But that’s another story. I think I’ll save that one for next issue.