Monday, July 29, 2013


A last resting place.

 
It was a glorious day- blue skies, hot sunshine and a blustering, cooling wind.  Accompanied by my # 1 son I wondered if we could find the exact spot MTL and I had chosen – years ago – for our ashes to be scattered.  It was the custom for his side of the family to be scattered in the sea at Port Mahomak on the NE coast of Scotland, but we both realised this would be putting a lot of pressure on both sides of the family;  I remember a mammoth trip one February, on freezing icy roads to dispose of my MIL’s  ashes some years ago.

 
We knew we wanted to be together in eternity, so chose a spot on beautiful North Hill where a fissure appears with a path to Porlock on the left. 
A and I drove to the far end of North Hill – to the car park, and then planned our route.  I wished I had thought to bring my walking pole and to wear boots instead of sturdy sandals – but I wasn’t thinking too clearly.  The hill was deserted except for a bare-torsoed elderly man with the ability to convert Centigrade to Fahrenheit. After a brief chat, when he related how the present cloud formation had come about, we chose a route- at times overlapping the coastal path.
 

Finally A spotted a grassy knoll with a large bush as a marker. The important thing, after all, is that my son would be able to recognise the same spot when I pop my clogs.  The view was heavenly and after a few minutes quiet contemplation I chose to do the deed myself and skirted the knoll with the open casket.  It was most dramatic the way the wind rolled and swirled the cloud of ashes along the edge of the knoll.  In spite of the forceful wind I was enveloped with MTL and my heart rejoiced.
I felt at peace – A wanted a hug – all was well.

 
On the way back we met an elderly couple with a dog.  The man noticed the smart, dark green carton A was carrying and asked if it were a bottle of whisky, whereupon my son said no we had been carrying his step- father’s ashes.

 
I’m happy that when the time comes A will have no difficulty in finding the exact spot and once more we will be reunited
Rest in peace my dearest dear. A bientot.

 
See photos below.

25 comments:

Granny Annie said...

God's blessings on you my friend.

Anonymous said...

My first reaction to this beautiful post was that there should be no comments, it should stand alone as the memorial you wanted it to be.

Then I go and comment!

But, you moderate all comments so you can choose ... !

I'm glad it felt so right for you and A.

belleek xx

Exile on Pain Street said...

I've not much to convey other than this was an exceptionally fine post. One of your best.

Pop your clogs?! Oh, so caviler about it.

Pat said...

Granny Annie: thank you Ann. My thoughts are with you.

Rosneath: I'm always happy to have comments; it means someone's listening.

Kim Ayres said...

A beautiful spot. My thoughts are with you

Pat said...

Kim: thank you. See you:)

Pat said...

Exile: you can take the girl out of Lancashire but...

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

If you were here, telling me this, I wouldn't say a word when you were done. You'd see me with my eyes full of tears, and you'd know much your words have touched me.

Hugs.

Daphne Wayne-Bough said...

:-)
No words.

Unknown said...

Tears in my eyes, too!! xxx

Pat said...

GG: I wrote it just before we left for Hertfordshire. When I read I on my return it did get a bit blurry.

Daphne: :)

savannah said...

xoxo

Mage said...

And you will....

Kevin Musgrove said...

Beautiful. And I'm glad you got that last hug.

Pat said...

Savannah: xoxoxo

Mage: thank you:)

Kevin: hugs are a great comfort,

angryparsnip said...

Beautiful !
What a lovely spot. And I have tears in my eyes.
My baby Nicole died at two months and was very ill all of her short life. She was cremated and let go in the Pacific Ocean. I felt she would like being able to finally float along with the waves.

cheers, parsnip

Pat said...

Parsnip: it must be comforting to think of Nicole being gently rocked by the ocean. It's what all babies love.

Gadjo Dilo said...

Yes, I'm with rosneath that there are no comments really necessary here. It's lovely that you have arranged this, and have seemingly waited for an appropriate time to do it.

Pat said...

Gadjo: :)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Oh, dear Pat. Such a Beautiful Post, and such a BEAUTIFUL spot...So Peaceful and Picturesque...! How lovely that you and your son were able to do this together and as you said, now he will have no trouble finding this lovely spot, when your time comes....I hope it is far far into the future, my dear....I was very moved by your words, dear Pat...And you and your very very dear MTL will be together, once again, for eternity....Such A Blessing.

Pat said...

Naomi: thank you.
It was worth waiting for the right time.
Another hurdle over.

lom said...

Sitting here crying because you have made something so sad sound so beautiful.

Love and hugs coming your way

Pat said...

Lom: I hope the beauty overcomes
the sadness. It should.







Sheri said...

So sad to hear that you lost MTL. What a beautiful way to send a loved one off to heaven. I am sure you will be together again. Perfect post, dear Pat. (I haven't been reading or writing blogs for almost two years.)

Pat said...

Sheri: lovely to hear from you again. I hope all is well with you.