Waiting in Line.

A death in a small community is a difficult thing. Fort Liard has had it especially rough this summer.

Brian K. phone me to let me know that Nap, one of the elders, passed away and, a few days later, I got calls from several others to let me know that our friend, Barbara B., passed away after a fight with cancer.

Barb used to work in the post office. Other than the occasional communiy feast, the post office was the only place in Fort Liard where there was ever a line.

I'm not a big fan of waiting in lines. I don't like sitting in traffic (esentially a big line) and I don't like waiting in lines for rides, at restaurants, or in stores. It just feels like my time is getting wasted, when I could be doing other, more productive things.

But I didn't mind waiting in line at the post office. I didn't mind because when I got to the head of the line, Barb would be there to greet me. She never worked quickly, but I knew that and so did everyone else. It didn't matter, though. The conversation was good and the smile was genuine.

They will be holding a joint funeral tomorrow and I regret that we won't be able to make it to Fort Liard to pay our respects.

We, and her very large family, will miss her.