Fly Home

"Now my friends it's time to go,

And this love will live to grow,

And I want you all to know,

I'm going home."

Thanks to Pat for reminding me of this beautiful song by Arlo Guthrie which was in my head as we marked the one year anniversary of John's death this last Monday with the scattering of his ashes just out beyond one of his favorite surf spots in Morro Bay.  It seemed like the right time and place to do it.  John's sister JoAnna, his brother Frankie, and his donor sister, Lisa, and her husband Manuel, were all able to come to join us in a celebration of John's spirit on what couldn't have been a prettier autumn morning in Morro Bay.  His presence was felt as six to eight foot swells lifted the 72 ft. boat and our spirits with it. 

When the boat anchored (at latitude 35degrees 21.832 minutes north and longitude 120degrees 53.607 minutes west)the sun made a sparkling path across the water which calmed a little, and a big, brown pelican circled down and landed next to us and watched solemnly as we read some of John's poetry.  Then, his ashes were lowered into the water and after we each threw a red rose in to where the basket had disappeared, the pelican took off and flew away.  

I had chosen this poem of Malaysian poet See Fee Lee to share at the ceremony.  It was a poem I had sent to John when he was up at Stanford the first time and I was working here in San Luis Obispo.  I found it again when I was getting ready for our outing on Monday and it took on new meaning.  

Fly home there will be shine

with bright orange light

Fly home there will be sweet

with bright orange light

Fly home there will be caring

with bright orange light

Fly home there will be lovely

with bright orange light

Fly home there will be comfort

with bright orange light

Fly home there will be fortune

with bright orange light

Fly home there will be future

with bright orange light

Fly home Fly home to your nest

with bright orange light

My heartfelt thanks to those of you who thought of us and sent notes of support this last week.  I know there are many more who remembered John this week too.  There were nearly 100 views of the blog early this week.  Thanks for remembering and caring.

With love,

Dana  

Back row: Young John, Mikey's girlfriend,Jillian, my sister Stacy, son Mikey, me, Stacy's husband Barry, John's brother Frank, Sue and Mike B, friend Jack, Lia's husband Bill with Lia.  Front row:  young John's girlfriend Laura, John's sister JoAnna, John's sister Lisa and her husband Manuel.

Mike and Jillian

Our surprise visitor

Frankie reads his poem

Mike B. reads a poem

Click on photos for a larger view.

( This last photo is Lisa and Manuel's boat in North Carolina.  Great name. )