Dem Bones...
One of the indigenous Indian tribes of Mississippi would be the Choctaw Indians... they worshiped the Sun as a supreme being... and when a member of the tribe died, his face was painted with a unique design and dressed in his/her best clothing... so that the Sun would recognize him/her... and the body was laid atop a scaffold... where it would sit for as few as three months or maybe as long as a year.
)
Among the Choctaws was an esteemed position within the tribe called a "bone picker"... and after the body had been exposed to the elements for the time allowed, they would come in and pick the remaining flesh off of the bones...
I've been helping Scooter's Mom and Sister with the "bone picking"... we have been at his apartment going through stuff... and what to do with it... what goes home with them... what is donated to libraries and such... and what goes into the trash...
So, this is what happens to us...
So it goes...
~shoes~
It dawned on me... after posting this... that if one doesn't own his burial vault in New Orleans, that he can 'rent' one... and he gets 'title' to that vault for 'one year and a day'...
ReplyDeleteThe way it was explained to me is that an un-embalmed body in that environment will be tissue-free in that period of time... so no bone picker will be needed.
I was sad but now I'm really sad. Life's a bitch, alright. But you know we love you, Shoes. That's gotta be worth something.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that as I read this I remember the last time I was in your fair town I was in fact bone picking over family items and books of a great aunt to transport back to the family home to that city on the hill above the river south of you.
ReplyDeleteThis is the saddest part and sometimes the sweetest. The memories are just so close then. It hurts so much to lose a member of your chosen family.
ReplyDeleteI can feel your pain and loss in this post. I'm so sorry...
ReplyDeleteSo, that;s what its called... I can remember when my Dad's bro died and my mother said people were all over my uncle's things.. taking things that were so insignificant.. At the time I had no idea... I've heard horror stories too on how some will come in so fast.. Now I know why vultures come to mind....and NO, I am not making a comment about what you are involved in... Just reminded me of when my Uncle who had nothing yet, somehow others thought he did.
ReplyDeleteHi, Chris... I would call those kind of people that you have just described as scavengers... real scum...
DeleteI am referring to those who loved the person... and look over the possessions and is responsible for disposition of what belonged to the deceased...
My family consists of scavengers... bastards...
~shoes~
I am sure it was bittersweet. Some things bringing smiles and good memories when you saw them.. and some just reminders of his being gone.
ReplyDeleteHang in there my friend. Hugs !
Hey you... things are going ok... things are going to be good...
DeleteI will miss this fellow in my daily Life... but his presence will be noted...
Thank you, dear...
~shoes~
It's an honor to you to have been asked to help with this task. It must be overwhelming to the people who loved him.
ReplyDeleteI hope your sense of loss will someday become a sense of happiness that you knew him and he was your family... a friend made by heart.
Hi there, Ami...
DeleteI am viewing any and all of this as quite an honor...
Things are going to be ok in the long run... I am confident of this...
~shoes~
Thinking of you with light and love. If I could reach out and hug you, I would.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Robin...
DeleteThank you, dear... things are settling down... settling in... I will miss this rascal... but all in all, I do know it's all part of the plan...
Thank you as always for your great support...
*huggles*
~shoes~
After reading these last three blogs about "Scooter", he seemed like he would have been an interesting man to know and talk too. Even at times, when he irriated people. Very intelligent it seems. Very resourceful. I'm sure his intelligence is why he said some "crazy" or "rude" things. Because people might not have understood where he was coming from--often those whom are misunderstood seem to annoy others because well they are misunderstood.
ReplyDeleteSounds like this has been a tough week for u. It is the ebb and flow of the river of life. We have "happy" time and then we have "blue" times. We all just need to learn to take it one moment at a time. And to surround ourselves with family/friends whom love and care for us.
I, myself, have been 'rescued" by a pup whom was living a hellish life. Alex--he is so loving and gentle. And I am amazed at how much he was hurt and abused and still he has the capacity to love. I am gonna make sure that his life is the best I can offer him.
I hope u find some peace along the way. And what a marvelous thing to be able to take his ashes and sprinkle them in Utah at ur favorite spiritual place.
That is why I have so much trust and faith in animals... they are the most unconditional creatures!. I am glad u found someone who gives u love and happiness!. I bet he is forever grateful for you as well!
DeleteHi, Stormy and Chris... yes, animals, and especially dogs, in my opinion, are the most unconditionally loving creatures that there are...
DeleteScooter was a character... I think we all are in some form or fashion... any of us are capable of angering another... saying the wrong things... I know I am... I've seen me do it...
~shoes~
Kalei's Best Friend--
ReplyDeleteAlex was such a blessing to me. And he needed someone to love and care for him too. The thing is animals let go of past hurts and get on with living the good life. His rescuers said he had issues with his collar and neck. He would go crazy and like a biting frenzy when they tried to put a collar on him. They actually had to put him to sleep to get him into the vet to check him out. Mario, his rescuer, told me he would not even post the video of his rescue because it was traumatic. And he usually will post their rescue on Facebook. So something bad happened to my little Alex. And when they finally got all the fur cut away he had either been hit, kicked or something thrown in his face because his eye was originally messed up. But he has been with me about a week and half and he is doing so well. He allows me to put a harness on him and we go walking to fabulous places. He is so loving and cuddly. It amazes me that he can let go of his past bad experiences and he realizes okie dokie life is gonna be all right from this point on. And the event of my death, my best friend will come and take him and watch over him. So he has no worries anymore. I have pics up before and after on my website. I will have more once I learn how to work my camera. Those were pics Mario, his rescuer, took and sent to me. Alex is a blessing to me. And there is room to love him. That is the one thing I always told everyone in my life "I may run out of money but I will never run out of love." And if you think about it it is true. "Stormy"Dawn and Professor Alex. I am calling him Professor Alex because he is very intelligent. He reminds me of the tramp on Lady and the Tramp. Well ok will end the novel now. We did this last time to Red Shoes didn't we. Took over the comment section. How rude of us!!!! I hope he doesn't mind.
No... I don't mind... :o)
Delete~shoes~
This is sad but, shoes, it is also part of the closure.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Jules... exactly... it's amazing that we are here and gone... and only a few of us leave any kind of a footprint...
Delete~shoes~
Shoes, I just wish you my best, as always. Do what you must, my friend.
ReplyDelete