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Originally uploaded by heathervescent
Yesterday, my family had a very small funeral for my grandfather. His last wishes were to be scattered in the Ocean. He lived in Dana Point for as long as I can remember and always raced a sailboat. He was an engineer at Ford and had a huge temper.
I am created by the clay of the past. The DNA and characteristics were passed onto me by nature and nurture. Out of this raw material I created myself. Clarified myself. It's always good to know where the materials came from, as you shape them in you.
I wasn't close to my grandfather, but in his death, I feel much closer. I don't regret that we didn't spend time together while he was alive - that is not the point. The point is moving forward, onward, and paying due respect and gratitude to that which contributed to create me.
It was a grey overcast morning, but the sea was calm. I wore white. My mom and I had brought many vibrant flowers. We embarked from the harbor. The boat was lovely and we were mostly in high spirits. A few words. The flowers thrown. A last drink before the basket was passed and ashes blossomed.
Crossing the Bar by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For through from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
The music swelled, the flowers laid out behind us. A few tears shed, good stories. We cracked the champagne and passed it around and toasted the sea and the sky. It was one of those movie moments. An utterly perfect California funeral. Epic. That's what I will remember when I think of Norm.
Bon Voyage Grandfather.
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