We’re at the church for lunch. Somehow, I made it through all of the hugs and kind words shared by most of the town of Athens at the funeral. I left the ceremony just as my mother had planned it. I would much rather have had a private burial and been done with it, but if this was her last wish, I granted it.

My mother hadn’t been active in the church or community for many years. Visitors attended her funeral for the woman she used to be and to give me their support. Fortunately, ...