"I'm not really a career person.I'm a gardener,basically.".....George Harrison

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Saying Good Bye….

In a previous post I wrote about the passing of my Dad.

My gardening guru.

The man who taught me everything I know.

This past weekend,family and friends gathered to say a final good-bye.

On Friday,May 25th,on what would have been his 93rd birthday,we gathered at Ft. DeSoto Beach to spread his ashes.

At the North Beach…

The same spot he and my mother loved visiting.

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We put his ashes in a sand pail and waded out as far as we could,with the little ones.

When no one could find the right words to say,

Emma took charge.

Almost as if to say,”Let Grandpa go home,big people!”

….she grabbed a fistful of ashes out of the pail and threw them into the wind.

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And she kept doing that…

emmadad

…until we all joined in.

It felt peaceful.

As if Dad was at peace,

… at home.

Later that evening,we all had dinner,

and told stories of Dad….

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…and Kyle got to blow out the birthday candles for the both of them…

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They kinda/sorta shared the same birthday….

I think he would have liked that….

 

Miss you Dad….

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6 comments:

Gayle said...

What an emotional post. God bless little Emma for somehow knowing the right thing to do at the right time. I'm glad it all came together in such a beautiful way. I know you must miss him dearly.

Kimberly said...

Chris, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Glad your family enjoyed a beautiful time of rememberance together!

Floridagirl said...

Awww, that is such a sweet way to say "goodbye." I know you are missing your father and mentor, but what a great way to remember him, and you have some beautiful photos of the day to look back at. Ft. Desoto is a lovely place. How wonderful that he lived such a long life!

Meems said...

It's a painful thing to miss a dad. Yours was an integral part of the garden you love so dear. Your 'goodbye' was fitting and dear little Emma knew what to do. What a great way to remember him. He lives on in your heart and your garden and so many other ways I'm sure. Peace and comfort to you, dear Chris... I know losing your dad is a huge loss. What a full life he lived!

Deborah said...

Beautiful perfection. A life well-lived deserves such a celebration. Your father, having been such a great gardener, reminds me of the song "Naked as we came" by Iron and Wine...to paraphrase...
"If I leave before you, darling
Don't you waste me in the ground...
Eyes wide open, naked as we came
One will spread our ashes round the yard". Or the sea. All my love, Deb

NanaK said...

What a nice way to say good-bye to your Dad. Having the whole family, young and old participate was a special touch. And that Emma, what a blessing she is. I know from previous posts you've made that your Dad was very special to you. May your wonderful memories of your Dad comfort you.

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