Canada XVIII - A Matter of Life and Death

     Once in town we filled the Nomad's tank.  While we gassed the Nomad, Emil gassed with whoever was within earshot.  Sometimes I think he's crazy to corner total strangers and start up like they're long lost neighbors.  But that's just the way he is.  And doesn't seem to care what it is he says.  At least he's usually careful enough to not bring up religion or politics.  And when he does, my uncle has a way of feeling people out, much like wading into cold water and being careful when reaching the tender parts.  When he's got a feel for the situation he seems to always know how far he can go before his nose gets broken.
     I had to take a leak and left him out there at the pump talking with a guy from North Dakota.  About my trip inside to the men's room I won't say much more than whatever passes through Canadians smells about the same as if it came from us Americans.  Kind of odd isn't it?  We think of ourselves as Americans and our neighbors as Canadians even though we're bot Americans and live in North America.  Wonder if the Canadians know that?
     Back outside, Emil and the Dakota guy were talking about what it's like to be a Lutheran.  As far as I know Uncle Emil hasn't been inside a Lutheran church in years.  Actually, I don't think he's been in any kind of church for a long, long time.  Outside of weddings and funerals that is.  And of the two, funerals are what he likes best.
     He's told me, "the only downside to a funeral concerns the dead person.  Not so much that they're dead, although, given the choice they'd probably rather be alive.  More like they're missing out on a fine party.  And they're the guest of honor.  Someone should've told them about the good church basement meal they'd miss 'cause they went and died a couple of days early.  The way I see it we should all have our funerals while we're still topside and feeling good.  People you haven't seen for twenty years could come up, slap you on the back and tell you what a great guy you are, as opposed to were and are now over there laying in a box and filled with formaldehyde and wearin' a suit for the first time in fifteen years.  And you'd remember all the good times and stuff you used to go through.  Or maybe even tell you what an total jerk you were.  Now, in my book, that'd be a good time."