To the Four Winds

So D1 came over after her Mother's Day couples' massage with Joel, to celebrate the near end of his law school finals, and off we headed...to Matheson Hammock. On the way we told Grandma Sunny stories, including one of Wifey's favorites that took place at that very park. It was Summer, and a thunderstorm approached. Wifey loaded the Ds, who must have been about 5 and 8, into the Mazda minivan. As the rain started pelting down, my Mom got a little stuck climbing into the van, as she said "Sometimes this big tuches doesn't move soo well." She sighed and struggled as Wifey and the Ds urged her on, and they all laughed all the way home. Wifey concluded she had the best mother in law of all time -- never meddled, always loved and supported. I thanked Wifey for all the love and help she gave Mom in the final years of her life. All the new clothes Mom had, Wifey bought for her -- some designer named Alfred Dunner was her favorite -- and Wifey was always there for her. The Ds visitd her often in the nursing home -- usually with a dog or two in tow. We pulled into the Matheson main parking lot, and it was packed. It was a gorgeous day, and many folks were at the Red Fish Grill for Mother's Day festivities. I drove to a corner, and found a secluded spot, through a path cut through the mangroves. I opened the thick plastic bag, and scattered the cremains. They're like concrete mix, and some floated away, some sank to the Bay bottom. I know that one or two tide changes will spread them all, eventually to the Atlantic, where Dad's ashes were scattered 31 years ago this July. They're together again -- finally. The Ds and Wifey and I tossed flowers onto the water, and they floated away. I looked up, and there was a small white butterfly flitting among us -- gentle and lovely, like my mother. We got back into the man sized Buick, and headed over to Westside Bagels -- a deli opened last month right near our house. D1 and I were there last week, and it will become a nice addition to Lots of Lox. D1's roommie Alissa jumped up to greet us -- she was there with her parents for Mother's Day as well. We shared a table, and happy tales of life. Alyssa's sister LAuren is D2's age, and getting ready to graduate UT in Austin. She'll be home for the summer this week. The Ds headed off for some sister bonding, and Dr. Dave and Maureen popped over. Dave's patient and friend had given him 4 tickets to Bill Cosby, up at the Indian casino in Hollywood. We had some drinks, toasted Dave's dad, who died just a few months ago, and my Mom, and then toasted Maureen and Wifey for being wonderful moms. Cosby was terrific. He essentialy told 2 stories for over an hour, with wonderful digressions, and I loved it -- particularly under the buzz of 4 drinks. Maureen drove home through a heavy rain. So that's it. I did my Father Mackenzie, although I wiped sea sand and water from my hands as I walked from Mom's grave. My duties are completed for Mom. My sister Trudy will now sell her condo and stuff -- I plan to have ZERO involvement in that project. And if there's an afterlife, may Sunny and Hy again be together -- listening to celestial Glenn Miller and Sinatra. Holding hands. Savoring the 4 winds...