Mom

Mom left us on Thursday, August 23, 2007, about 3 in the morning. John called and Billy and Annie flew down on Friday. John decided to have Mom's memorial service on the beach, even if it was just us three. Of her friends, we only knew Sharon and Joe. We called to let them know.

It was still dark when we walked over to the beach, we three, and sat on the bench together to wait. Pretty soon, Sharon came with Mom's swimsuit on a little stand and shells that Mom collected and orange juice and muffins. We walked down to the water and waited. As the light started coming up, people came walking on the beach to us. Soon, there were about 10 of us and Joe started talking. Then several other people spoke. It was good to hear them.

Mike started taking some pictures and then he called for us to turn around and look. From the west, there were rays of light coming up from the ground to the zenith of the sky, arranged like a fan in alternating colors.

Then most of us went in the water, even me in all my clothes, not having thought to wear my swimsuit.

It was the most wonderful memorial I have ever seen.