Alaska on my mind…

Dust to dust

We had our memorial for Dad at the cabin yesterday, (Tuesday 7/23). He is finally resting where he wanted to be, well mostly anyway.

Dad’s ashes and the photo Tami took.

We had a nice gathering of close friends and family. Mike, Tami and Allie, Skylar, Scott and Deni, Dean, Aunt Char and Uncle Ray, Aunt Dee and Uncle Eugene and of course myself and the kids. Tami and Deni arranged the food and brought us a wonderful array of local flavor: moose burgers, elk sausage, deep-fried zucchini and cauliflower (one of Dad’s specialties), salads… so much food. And all so good.

Mike grilling up some awesome moose burgers and elk sausages!

Good food!

We spent about 4 hours together out there. Looking around, laughing, reminiscing, taking pictures. A true final good-bye.

All of us, Mike was behind the camera.

Then we took his ashes to the garden. Dad had told others that he wanted to be next to Fritz and Okie (his dog and cat who are buried there). Aunt Dee and Uncle Ray scattered some of his ashes in the wind over the garden. We buried some next to Okie, and then Aunt Dee took some back to Linda.

Mike dug a small hole next to Okie for Dad’s ashes, then we planted a Forget-Me-Not over the top. A fitting plant I’d say. Both Alaska’s state flower, and true to its name, we will never forget the man they called Chuck, and I called Dad.

The finality of it. Both full of sorrow and yet good knowing that to the best of my ability, I was doing what Dad wanted. Dad’s wishes are what matters.

Sums it up well…

Baruch b’shem YHVH. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.