Dads ashes finally went to the ocean π yesterday - swirling round in the big blue. Felt like he was already out there but it felt right for them to be released where he wanted them to go, on the coast he lived a life upon.
And his great grandson playing on the shore - one life out with the tide, another beginning.
Despite a forecast that was calm, the wind was howling - Dad always liked the weather, we said, and would always get out in it, hiking or surfing or taking photos. Any weather would have been fitting.
Mum took his hiking pack and carried the ashes down, feeling very much, she said, like she was honouring him with this last walk. I felt immense love and respect and awe for her carrying him in heart and hand like this, and her determination to fulfil his wishes, despite having used the cardboard urn as a steadying force these last two years.
My brother in law and I steadied her as she walked into the lagoon where the tide was rushing in, and she got down low so the ashes weren't caught in the wind. Damn ashes stuck a little and she had to dig her hand in, which made her laugh and stopped the tears. Then he was off, a swirly white cloud disappearing as we all stood and watched.
Then it was back to my place for lunch and wine and much laughter. We are getting used to his absence now.
I love the thought of him finally at sea now, into the big blue. As I write this I can hear the big swell rolling in. Its hard not to think of my father when I think of the ocean, and now the two are utterly combined, physically, spiritually.
The last word for the moment is my brother in law's though:
This morning I was way up at (the surf break near where we spread the ashes) by myself looking over at ocean thinking how he would be part of it all in nature with the West swell moving his ashes along. Right at that that very moment a pod of dolphins surfaced right where i was looking and they started surfing in the waves. The last set wave had only 1 dolphin on it, he came straight at me, came so close if i duck dived we would have collided. But he flew by so close. Then at the end he did a big flip out and swam away. Freedom in nature. I came straight in and went and told your mum.
There he goes then. Free. Into the mystic.
π¬
