Was it disrespectful to loop around my great-great grandfather’s tombstone and slap it like a game of tag at the turnaround of Friday’s run?
Amos Hege's tombstone in the old Murray Cemetery in Wells County.
I don’t think so. It wasn’t much of a “visit,” because I didn’t want to lose my momentum on my longest run thus far of 2012. Still, this pilgrimage to a Civil War soldier’s grave was pretty much the whole point.
Starting the year injured and uncertain about race plans, I decided to make destination runs part of my goals for the year. This run wasn’t even on the list. It didn’t occur to me because I’ve only recently begun embracing neighborhood runs as part of a “sustainable living” kick.
The idea of visiting Amos Hege’s tombstone in the Murray Cemetery was appealing because of the family history angle. But it also gave me a 6.6-mile run in our neighborhood, where I’ve never gone more than 4 miles before.
It didn’t hurt that it came on a gorgeous spring-like day with little wind. It was tempting to stop and take cell phone photos — of hoof prints by the side of the road, an old-fashioned windmill, guys harvesting maple syrup in the woods — but I didn‘t want to stop the run. I didn‘t even pause for a photo at the grave, electing to go back for pictures afterward.
I wish I could lay my hands on Great-Great-Grandpa Hege’s obituary, which I’ve got in a file folder somewhere. I know he was born in 1846, died in 1929 and was among the Union troops who burned Atlanta under the command of General Sherman. It seems like his obituary said he was among the last of the Wells County Civil War vets to pass away, but I can’t say for sure, it’s been so long since I read it.
At any rate, it was awfully fun to pay him a brief visit on a satisfying run on a beautiful day.
