I need your help once again...
You have proven to be reliable...
HERE is the last time I asked for your assistance...
(this interesting... I wasn't aware
I had used the BeaTle theme in that post...)
Anyway...
I've posted a great deal about my friend, Larry... aka Scooter... aka Lars, aka Lurch... aka MaGeever...
... and then, of course... HERE...
In a bit less than two weeks, I will be Westward-Bound with my Friend, Larry... to scatter his ashes at a site selected by him... and it was a request of his that I do this...
How can I possibly say, "No" to this...
I've never scattered ashes before...
... but I feel I need some kind of reading...
I need something to say... something to read...
Is there an established protocol for
the scattering of someones ashes?
the scattering of someones ashes?
Can any of you help me out??
Direct me towards a possible solution???
I intend to blog this trip out West with Larry...
and at this point in time...
It will be called...
"Scattering Scooter..."
I will keep you posted and up to date on what transpires...
Thank you ahead of time for your assistance...
~Woodrow Call~
errr...
~shoes~
OOH that's a tough one Shoes. I think that whatever you say should come from you and your heart. Something poignant, relative, and a celebration of who he was. This is like the final part of your journey and it has to be something that only you can come up with. You can do it. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Jules... you are right...
Delete... and I want it to be"right"... I guess maybe just go with my gut feeling...
Of all of the things I have done in my Life, I am as nervous as I can be about this...
Right now, I am leaning towards some scripture from Ecclesiastes...
Thank you for your support, dear...
~shoes~
Nervous is ok, it shows you care. I know whatever you choose it will be just right. :)
DeleteAs much as it should come from your heart I think you always consider your audience. In this case we hope the audience is Scooter looking down from Heaven. In that case what would he want to say or rather hear from you on this occasion.
ReplyDeleteIt might be a quote from Shakespeare it might be just "later dude." But I suspect it should be between you and him.
Good afternoon, Ryan... I totally agree with you...
DeleteEspecially on this part...
I suspect it should be between you and him.
Sometimes, when we were to tell each other 'later'... more often than not... it was something like fuck you...
For some reason, that doesn't seem right...
Yet... *laughs*
He would totally understand that...
Thank you, Ryan...
~shoes~
I didn't know what you were asking when you asked about that passage in Ecclesiastes... until now. Yes, I think it would be perfect. And then maybe you could sing Turn Turn Turn after by The Byrds.
ReplyDeleteHi,Robin...
DeleteI've started working on an arrangement for 'Turn, Turn, Turn'... and I like it... a lot... I think that is a good idea...
I want what I do to be respectful... yet... reflect the irreverent friendship that we shared...
.... but I like your idea...
Thank you...
~shoes~
I've never scattered ashes so I'll be interested in what your commenters have to say.
ReplyDeleteStephen... I haven't either... and for this to have been requested by Larry/Scooter... well, I am quite honored....
DeleteI received great help when I had to give a commencement address a few years ago... I am sure I will get it this time as well...
~shoes~
Shoes, I am sure whatever you choose to do will be heartfelt and special.
ReplyDeleteOn the more practical side, you are doing this in Monument Valley? Maybe you don't need this, but I scattered my dad's ashes in Yosemite. We had to fill out a permit. I checked the NPS website for the Navajo Monument, but you never know. Here is the NPS link if you want it: http://www.nps.gov/search/index.htm?query=scatteriing+ashes&sitelimit=&as_sfid=AAAAAAV02pDJ6GRlGJNCc%2Bt6VdxrVB8cNKBvMlKtk0wBeT9Hl8QGJhrsNQXxmJlu%2BCU9AG%2FSpQwXWRpZjnFY931jaTNwIAVru7dnnlfK9yGPAFYoqA%3D%3D&as_fid=s%2Fv5Ad%2Bmp%2BCeu2vbUshy
Hi there, Ms Sillyone!
DeleteYes...I had been wondering about things like that! I'm glad your brought it to my attention!!!
How are you, dear?
~shoes~
Well, Shoes, I just caught up on your friendship with Scooter. I have to say, he reminds me of my FIL. (I miss that man!) His gruff exterior, quick tongue but soft interior, I can see why he's so special to you and why you want to get this "just right." I think no matter what you do, how you do it, it will be perfect because the intent and purpose is there and that's what matters. It could be done in silence and the words would still be perfect because they'd be in your heart. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Elsie... yes, we would fuss... cuss each other... there was a great deal of respect between us, but we would sure get snarky with each other from time to time...
DeleteIt's funny... we were having margaritas one afternoon... and these two REALLY old men were there... and I told Scooter that would be us one of these days...
I didn't expect him to die...I expected him to have to retire... to quit work... but I didn't expect him to die... not really...
*sighs*
~shoes~
Three
ReplyDeleteThree has always had special significance in my life.
2 pups plus me
2 friends plus me
Mom and Dad plus me
My grandmomma, my grandfather and me.
God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit
For now, there is two (ProfessorAlex and me) but God is gonna fill my spot open for three soon. So there will be three again and I will feel complete.
So this is my favorite verse from the Bible. I share it with my friends often and of course it is centered around three.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one because a good return comes when two work together. If one of them falls, the other can help him up. But who will help the pitiful person who falls down alone? In the same, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm. But how will the one who sleeps alone stay warm against the night? And if one person is vulnerable to attack, two can drive the attacker away. As the saying goes, "A rope made of three strands is not quickly broken."
I don't think u have to say anything. I think the thoughts in ur head and the feelings in ur heart for ur friend can merely be felt and thought of out in ur spiritual place. But I am a believer in that people don't actually have to say anything to know what is felt by someone else.
Enjoy the moment. Let it sooth ur soul. Bring u content and peace. It was the last gift ur friend could give to u. To get u back to ur spiritual place and he knew that u would not say no into taking him there.
In his death, he loved u enough to ask u to do this because I feel truthfully he knew that u needed it as much as he did.
Have a blessed trip my friend. And relish every moment. For we do not know the hour that our Father will call us home. I feel that this will bring u peace and contentment. Something u have very much needed for a long time. Enjoy ur journey my friend. My prayers and thoughts will be for u.
Hey you... it will be ok.. everything will go ok...
DeleteObviously I am nervous about this... I've never done it before... first times are always scary/nervous...
Things will be ok...
~shoes~
Darling Shoes, just do whatever feels right in your heart for you and Scooter. Why not take your guitar along and play a couple of his favourite tunes?
ReplyDeleteOh, and make sure you're down wind. I was at the scattering of my mum in law and a bit of her came back home with me in my eyes due to the wind changing direction at the crucial moment!
Hey there, Penguin... I will have to do what is in my heart... I have started working on an arrangement for 'Turn, Turn, Turn'... that I am happy with....
DeleteYes... HA! I know about the 'down wind' part!!
Thank you for your kind thoughts...
~shoes~
ReplyDeleteMaybe... something from a writer or a song he liked?
Maybe something you'd want to say to him, when he'd be leaving for another world?
Anyway, I think you're really really brave to do such a thing. Everyone seems to think it such a 'great' and 'beautiful' thing to do, but it would make a hole in my heart if I had to do that for a friend. My utmost respect for you.
stephanie
Hi, Stephanie... the author... that's a great idea...
DeleteI can't not do this... if that makes sense... I feel it is an honor to do this.. I just want it to be 'right'... whatever that is... you know?
It HAS created a hole in my heart... this isn't going to be easy... but, again... what an honor...
Thank you for your kind words, dear...
~shoes~
Protocol? It's you and Scooter, man... be you and Scooter one last time.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Steven... yes, I am over-thinking this...
ReplyDeleteI've come to realize that this is an honor to be able to do this for Scooter... I'm nervous, I guess... this is a big deal to me...
How are you, my friend?
~shoes~
Just make sure u have a pitcher of Margaritas there... Whatever u say, say it from your heart (as if u wouldn't).. What an honor that u have... just make sure u don't trip, like I did, recently....
ReplyDeleteMy u r really nervous. I think that I would attend to this first thing when I arrived. When I am nervous about something I deal with it immediately so my mind can relax and rest the rest of the time. U remember laying awake in ur bed at 3:00 in the morning the day of commencement and look how fabulous that turned out and I think once u go going it was actually fun for u and so rewarding for u, students, parents and faculty.
ReplyDeleteIt will be fine. And I think it will be enlightening and possibly a page turner for ur book of life. Moving u to ur next chapter so to speak.
Well, it is later than I meant to sleep almost noon but it has been crazy insane last couple of days. I needed to sleep in. But time to showers and get out there and enjoy beautiful weather. Hope u r able to make it down for music in Memphis. If u do have fun and be safe.
Shoes: You asked for an opinion, so here it is, tough as it is. You have mourned, indeed. Now, whatever you say from your heart should not express sorrow over his passing, but appreciation for having been able to share your life with him. The words themselves are secondary.
ReplyDeleteEven if there were an established protocol, I think you owe it to your friend to do what YOU feel is right. But, buddy, it will be tough. I've been there. Just say what comes to mind. If nothing comes to mind... just smile.
ReplyDeleteShoes,
ReplyDeleteKnowing you. Knowing me. Music will be there. The highest expression of everything. This song came to mind. I've always found Joni Mitchell's words to be almost sacred.
What an honor to share this adventure with you.
http://youtu.be/SsGDiYlMFuk
"Woodstock"...
DeleteIsn't that the greatest song?
Joni Mitchell is a fantastic wordsmith!
Yes, it will come to me...
Thank you... I am slowly figuring things out...
~shoes~
Once you get there, your heart and his spirit will tell you what to do. I think as long as Larry doesn't get scatter on something/place/one that he shouldn't, you should do just fine.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Nitebyrd...
DeleteYou are exactly right...
After reading a recent post by Grumpster, I realized that I felt helpless... that I had no control in the deaths of my sister and my good friend...
This trip represents something over which I have great control... and I guess I have over-thought it...
How have you been?
~shoes~
You will do the right thing Shoes or he wouldn't have ask you to do this.
ReplyDelete