The task is finally completed as I promised...
Shoes squeaked against the sand as our entourage led the straggling cortège towards the sea, our hair blew sideways like palm trees in the brisk breeze that was blowing along the coast.
I was immediately behind my friends (Vicki & Duane) who gracefully agree to accompany me. My chubby little legs moving at top speed, whilst I brought up the unwilling rear.
The set of my mouth told them that I’d gone somewhere else in my head, though the tiny pulse visibly flickering at the base of my throat spoke volumes about my mood.
I spent a great deal of sighing during the day. At breakfast I had initially thought I might not be ready yet even though I had put this task off since 2005.
I thought that this still might not be the day.
This day I've dreaded for years... Somehow keeping her ashes near gave me some comfort.
You see my sister & I were very close growing up. Even though she was ten years older, she took me under her wing and protected and nurtured me. All her friends had to understand that I would be the little sister who would be there with her most days. She would defend me to the end if anyone spoke a harsh word to me. She was a second mother and sister rolled into one. Her first husband was just as rooted in my life too. Also, a second dad and brother all rolled into one.
I stood there realizing I was here having to compete this task alone without another soul who knew these important people whom were such a big part of my life. We were family.
As I trudged towards the sea, I was clutching a plastic bag and bottle having previously held sparkling water, & now contained my sister & her former husband's ashes.
My sister had decreed that their ashes should be scattered on the outgoing tide in some ocean. (In this case I did my best to at least try to carry out her wishes)
I know that these waters of the Gulf of Mexico & it's current will empty into the Atlantic Ocean where she asked to be.
In my search to pay final tribute to my older sister & former brother in-law, I came upon an extra plan to release a portion of their ashes with an identifying note inside a bottle to be launched out to sea in hopefully travel to the exotic beaches and places unknown.
I knew my sister would have liked that.
I hope to hear that they have ended up landing on other beaches.
Also, I knew that her former husband would have been content to follow where ever she went as he did in life.
My wind blown ragged procession stopped, and the three of us stood on a pier at the water’s edge. With the plastic container gripped between my fingers, actually two bags full of ashes, which I solemnly held to be released.
The stiff breeze blowing along the Gulf Of Mexico shoreline was a more than willing conspirator.
Their final resting place was to be the waters of Waveland Beach & Beyond.
Mississippi’s Gulf Coast is peppered with scenic beach towns that are full of history, but few can compare to Waveland, Mississippi.
This tiny but mighty town often gets overshadowed by its neighboring city of Bay St. Louis, but I believe they would have loved this quiet, coastal town and even in life they would have tried to spend the day exploring, knowing this is just the spot.
It's the perfect beach town if you want to avoid the crowds.
Waveland is a charming and quiet town on the Gulf of Mexico that's home to about 7,000 folks and now the resting waters of two important souls to me.
My love is eternal ~Joyce & Harry.
Rest In Peace.
Miss Ya'll Everyday!
Nana
Comments