Bedford. June 28

“I learned that every mortal will taste death. But only some will taste life.“

― Rumi

Nic's dad passed almost four years ago on the same day my dad had sepsis and was struggling with heart failure. I called Nic crying to tell him my dad was not doing well and to tell him I was leaving for Flagstaff to be with my dad. He told me his dad had just died. 

Nic went to the UK two times in a month and then not again for almost four years. Thank you, COVID. For almost four years Nic's dad's ashes have sat waiting for him to come and scatter him. So today we did. 

There was discussion, debate, and many ideas tossed about regarding where we should go. Nic's dad had never specified and his mom did not really have any strong opinions on the matter. Ultimately, Nic and Rob chose the 'Cut' off the Great River Ouse in Bedford. Nic likes the idea that his dad will slowly head out to the North Sea and maybe feed a few fish in between. It feels nice to know part of him (maybe) is still here in Bedford to come 'home' to for Nic and Rob and the boys. 

Nic has always spoken of his father with love and happiness. I love looking at pictures of Nic's dad when he was younger. He and Nic share their twinkling eyes.

Nic waded out to a riffle in the water and set his father free in the river.

Henry took a swim with Nic and his dad. There was a little bit of ash that fell out of the box, there is not a sticker on the boxes of ashes telling you to open carefully - ashes burst out as Nic opened the box, so that was a bit awkward. We did our best to get as much of Louis in the river as we could.

Rob, James and myself were there to watch.

It was the perfect English afternoon. It didn't even rain.

And then, the long awaited goodbye was done and over. His dad has been laid to rest at last.

Henry took another swim.

And then Nic and I went for a bit of a walk to see more of Bedfordshire. We went to the tiny, little village, Willington to see its 15th century dovecote, stable and church.

Then we wandered over to the village Elstow to see Paul Bunyan's roots, church, and moot house.

I love the lichen and moss that grows on the walls on the graves. I tried to capture a bit of their color and texture.

And then I had to laugh at the bathroom doors around the old Abbey at Elstow.

We met James and Rob at Nic's dad's favorite pup, "The King's Arms" where Nic and James had a pint. I had some seltzer water and lime and Rob had a bit of Diet Coke. We raised our glasses to Louis and then bemoaned the state of beer in his favorite pub. He would have been so disappointed.

However, the Guinness was apparently ok. James approved.

We ambled home, had a snack, and I went out for a run in my the Putnoe Woods, who are rapidly becoming my friends. I still scare the people on the trail with my American accent. I am, apparently, unexpected. Thankfully I look fairly innocent, even with my roguish accent.

It was an important day with important business. Those days are sometimes quiet and seemingly inconsequential with a really significant moments in between your morning coffee and afternoon cheese and crackers. I am glad Nic and Rob were able to lay their dad to rest together. I am so thankful to have been included in this day. I did not know Louis, but I know Nic and I am thankful for his dad and all he gave Nic. I wish I had met him and known him and thanked him for giving me such a wonderful partner in Nic. I wish he had seen us together and known I will look after his son. I hope he saw a bit of that today from above, or the river, or in our hearts.