Yesterday we scattered Chris’s ashes around the beech tree behind the bench where he used to sit when he was IPWD.
There was eight of us and the dog. Paul, Rob, and Alex went over to Lark Lane and picked up Chris’s ashes and met Nita for a drink in Keiths. Sue, Gilly and I had a glass of champagne at home and then walked over with Jimmy and Kipper - and we all met up in the park.
We didn’t make a big ceremony out of it – Rob, Paul and the Officer played their roles and then we simply encircled the beech tree with Chris’s ashes and together remembered the lovely man. Gilly placed a bunch of flowers and we all came home to share a meal.
I had made some fine soup into which I had put tiny dried chillies and it tasted wonderful and then kicked you! Hadn’t meant it to be that hot but it was good. Rob played some of Chris’s CDs which was important as none of us had been able to listen to Chris’s music particularly Rob. We then just talked and reminisced for the rest of the evening - which is exactly what Chris would have wanted us to do.
After I said good bye to Paul and Sue this morning I walked the dog over to the beech tree – which I glad to say that Paul – the Woodman - had pronounced as ‘sound tree’ yesterday. The ashes were still visible - I sat on the bench and listened to the bird song and the wind in the trees - and felt at peace.
