A Long Delayed Activity
After a delay of 18 years, we finally spread my mother's ashes.
In the early hours of the morning of October 5, 2005, my mother passed away after a short stay in the hospital. A lifelong smoker, she succumbed to COPD and complications from that (and ignoring a lot of symptoms). It was her wish that she be cremated and then her ashes spread with the ashes of her third husband after he passed. Alas, family strife (we put the “fun” in “dysfunctional”) ensured that this wouldn’t be possible.
The sibs and I agreed that it was time, and this weekend we converged in Lassen Volcanic National Park to do the deed (surreptitiously, as it wasn’t strictly kosher).
We picked a wonderful day to do it. When we set off from the hotel/resort we stayed at in Anderson (no relation) it was promising to be in the upper 90’s, but in Lassen, about 7,000 feet higher, it was upper 60’s, the air was crisp, and after a short hike (and I can assure you that at 8,000 foot elevation, I was sucking wind badly. I can’t be THAT out of shape), at a quiet alpine lake we said a few words, and spread her ashes.
Lassen was a place we all enjoyed visting, so it was a fitting place.
A chapter is finally closed.
What a lovely tribute to your mom, and your dysfunctional family. (I can relate.) Are you in the photo?
Altitude can affect even professional athletes, so you sucking wind at 8,00 feet isn't a reflection of your fitness.