My granddaughter, Cayla, was only 2 years old when her Uncle Dave passed. Our family has kept Dave alive by regaling so many of his stories and antics. We all share signs with each other that we have experienced reassuring us that Dave is still with us. My energetic days of travel are dwindling so when I hear that another family member is traveling, I hope it’s somewhere “Dave-worthy.” I enlisted Cayla to be ever-present in her upcoming trip and to completely open her mind to her surroundings and to notice every little thing that the average person might miss. I asked her to take notes and share those memories with me so that I could describe the area the family selected for Dave’s ashes. Well, Cayla went above and beyond and wrote the entire post. I am very proud of the finished product. After reading her description, I felt as if I was standing there as well. Thank you, Cayla.
While on our trip to Cape Cod, we took a day trip to the Acquinnah Cliffs in Martha’s Vineyard. This view truly took my breath away, as it was a level of nature’s beauty I had never experienced before. It felt like standing inside a monthly calendar’s featured landscape, making me feel immense gratitude for having the opportunity to see such a view with my own eyes, creating an unforgettable, special experience I got to share with my family, including the spirit of my Uncle Dave. Eager for a more intimate view, we started our mile hike down the shore to stand at the base of the cliffs to spread my uncle’s ashes.
The weather was perfect- a breeze in the air and the sun shining in the sky without a single cloud diminishing its light. Throughout our journey to this “perfect spot,” I became more centered in the present, paying more attention to the things going on around me, the things I saw- the hundreds of dragonflies buzzing around us as we walked to the beach. The singular monarch butterfly paying us a visit, offering it’s guidance down the trail, blanketed in purple and pink flowers, creating a faint scent of rose in the salty air, reminding me of my great grandma, as she always smelt of roses.
The beach itself was breathtaking; the water a beautiful aquamarine color, so clear you could see to the rock and shell covered sandy floor. Continuing down the beach, we relished in the warm sun hitting our faces and sea breeze, keeping us cool on our walk, collecting unique rocks that washed up on the shore as we approached the base of the cliffs. Interestingly enough, during this walk we accidentally and unexpectedly ventured onto a nude beach and if you know my Uncle Dave, you could only assume how hysterically he was laughing at us. It was quite the experience, to say the least.
Once we found our “perfect spot,” we built a small rock tower, releasing his ashes over it, allowing it to be carried into the wind and waves.
Though Uncle Dave is no longer here with us physically, we know his soul will always be intertwined with ours, guiding us to these beautiful pockets of peace, where we have the opportunity to see things through a lens like he did, allowing us to leave a little piece of him behind, becoming one with thy nature.
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