Paleobird's Next Big Adventure page 174

[Sigi]

Tomorrow is my Dad's memorial service.

Thinking of you. *hugs*

[badgergirl]

Sending love for tomorrow.

And of course living a good life is the best memorial to both your parents.

[Sabine]

Hope your Dad has a wonderful 'bon voyage' today. Thinking of you.

[Mr. Anthony]

Good luck; I hope you feel a good sense of closure and a celebration of a life well lived.

[Goldie]

I have some very good memories of my Mom's memorial service; tears and laughter both. Rituals like this are fulfilling for the soul. Enjoy every moment, Robin.

[winencandy]

Thinking of you today

[Pebbles67]

I hope that everything has gone well today.

[Paleobird]

I remember that feeling..... Much love your way.

Thinking of you. *hugs*

Sending love for tomorrow.
And of course living a good life is the best memorial to both your parents.

Hope your Dad has a wonderful 'bon voyage' today. Thinking of you.

Good luck; I hope you feel a good sense of closure and a celebration of a life well lived.

I have some very good memories of my Mom's memorial service; tears and laughter both. Rituals like this are fulfilling for the soul. Enjoy every moment, Robin.

Thinking of you today

I hope that everything has gone well today.

Thank you all. It was a lovely gathering. My father's oft cited reason why he didn't want a memorial service was that, when you live to an advanced age, you have outlived anybody who ever cared about you. Well, sorry Dad but you were wrong on that one. There were 15 people there today.

I had a hole pre-dug underneath the tangerine tree out in the front of his yard by the deck he built. This was the spot from which he always kept an eye on things in the neighborhood. He was like the Neighborhood Watch Committee all by himself.

So I placed the ashes in the hole and then asked each person in turn to introduce themselves and say something about their memories of Dad. Then as each person finished, they put a shovel full of dirt in the hole. In this way holding the shovel became like holding the talking stick. It was interesting to hear three generations worth of people relating their experiences having known him in different ways, as a neighbor, a co-worker, a friend of the family, etc. Really wonderful people each and every one.

For me saying goodbye to my Dad and saying goodbye to this house are all wrapped up together. It was so much a part of his identity. I think it is good that he stays here. He will always be keeping watch over the neighborhood.

[zoebird]

I do like your Dad's style. I could really "see" him standing there, keeping watch over the neighborhood!

I'm glad that the service was so simple and lovely, healing for everyone who attended. And, the tangerine tree is going to be very happy, too!

I think it's exciting that you are on to a new chapter, and I know that (you know, in so far as I believe in continuing on) your dad would be excited and proud of you too.

[Owly]

That sounds perfect. I think every person deserves to have people who gather and remember them with love at the end of their life. I love the idea of the tree--we "planted" my mother's ashes under the roots of a beautiful cedar next to a trail that she loved. It's nice to think of something growing from that.