Your stories about you and mom made me both laugh and cry because they were sooooo like you and mom ;~) And thank you for posting the video, it is perfect. Except for the shot of my big butt of course. I love you a lot & and mom loved you even more, Ruth Ann
Mom's ashes were scattered at sea on November 3, 2018, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego.
While a burial is typically a somber event, the family gathered and we actually enjoyed swapping stories and being in each others' company. It was a lovely afternoon in San Diego. Mom would have objected to spending the money on such a thing, but she would have greatly enjoyed the sunset cruise!
We starting heading out to sea. The scattering of ashes has to take place beyond the one mile marker or bouy. In this photo from left to right are Jani, mom's grandson; Michele, mom's niece-in-law; Uncle Bob, mom's brother; Bill, mom's son-in-law; Aunt Judy, mom's sister-in-law, and me, Ruth Ann, her daughter.
Inside, mom's two grand-nephews, had found comfort on the bridge with the Captain where it was warmer and less windy. Ian is intent on his video game while Max looks at the camera.
We had grand plans for having beverages & snacks while looking at photos of mom as we headed out to the one mile marker. I even had prepared a Spotify list of the Buena Vista Social Club music -- one of mom's favorites, on my iPad.
Here we are making do with what we have since the yacht did not have any serving implements! We actually did quite well -- finding a couple of paper cups for a toast to mom!
The staff of the yacht, the Captain and the Hostess -- a husband and wife team -- piloted the yacht and managed the cruise. They had prepared everything in advance and handled the sunset cruise and scattering of ashes in a professional and lovely manner.
Our hostess moved mom, her wreath - note: her favorite colors purple & green, and rose petals to the deck. She talked to us about the lovely ashes that mom was and her belief that she had been a wonderful women. While several of us raised our eyebrows -- the sentiment was lovely!
As we headed out to the mile marker -- we looked at photographs of mom (see the life story to see the photos) and talked about mom and her life. Pictured nearest the prow are Jani, who flew in from Finland, Bill, standing and me sitting, from Reno; and seated are left to right - Michelle, Max, Aunt Judy, Ian, and Uncle Bob, the San Diego family. In the foreground are mom, her wreath, and rose petals.
We raised our paper cups with soda, wine, and beer bottle in toast to mom!! We toasted a life well lived and our love and rememberances to her. In the photo, from left to right, are Bill, me, Uncle Bob, and Max.
As sundown approaches, I am preparing to put mom's ashes into the ocean. I am hoping that in some abstract fashion she will be reunited with Mike, Jani's father, my brother, and mom's son, since we scattered his ashes essentially in the same spot.
After I have "scattered" mom's ashes, Max and Ian toss the wreath of mom's favorite colored flowers and foliage into the sea.
After we successfully "scattered" mom's ashes, our Captain turned the yacht to face the sunset and to watch mom's ashes, the wreath, and the rose petals that we had each scattered into the sea float away into the sunset. The photo is of, from left to right, Max, Ian, and Michelle in the foreground and of Jani making a video, and then Bill, me, and Uncle Bob from left to right closest to the prow and looking into the sunset.
As we head back toward the Shelter Island marina and San Diego, it is getting darker and cooler. Michell and the boys join the Captain on the bridge as we head back.
As it is getting dark, we cruise back to the Shelter Island marina. Jani, Bill, and I, along with Uncle Bob and Aunt Judy are off to have dinner at the Bali Hai restaurant and continue out conversations and remembrances. Mom would have loved the day, evening, and company! She was certainly with us in spirit.
