A public apology (since I have no idea how to do a private one.)

We attended the graveside service for John's grandfather last week with the boys. They were very well behaved considering it was a beautiful sunny day with lots of grass to run around in. I was impressed with how quiet they were during the prayers and everything. When we got back into the car, I noticed Ian had a handful of pennies.

"Where did you get that money?" I asked.

"Off one of the stones. I think someone must have dropped it on accident."

Oh, dear.

There are several explanations for the tradition of leaving coins or pebbles on gravestones, some of them contradictory, but I'm sure they meant something to somebody. But there was no way to put them back because I have no idea where he got them.

So. If your loved one is buried at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Cemetery and you notice that the pennies you left are missing, I'm really sorry. They are in my four-year-old's pocket. I also apologize for laughing about the whole thing, but I thought it was kind of funny.