Henry, back to the beach

On August 8th, 33 weeks after Henry died, we took his ashes to the beach. It was never going to be an easy decision, never feel like the "right" time, but Owen kept asking when we were going to take Henry's stardust to the beach. I think Owen needed a place to help remember Henry, so we made plans. We opened the small cardboard box at home, looked at Henry's stardust, and cried. We looked through pictures of Henry, and cried. And when the tears were dried up, we drove to Cannon Beach.

 

It was a beautiful day, and the water was perfect to walk through.

 Owen wanted to get started with digging right away.  Owen has helped us so much over the past 33 weeks, and he knew he needed to dig. So, we all started to dig. Bob and Amy, Mom and Dad met us there, and we dug.

 Of course taking breaks to play too.

 But we dug. A big, beautiful hole. Whenever we were at the beach with Henry, we would dig a hole. Henry would "help" most by filling it with sand, while the three of us dug a hole. Then, both boys would play in the shallow water.  This hole was the hardest hole I have ever helped to dig, but it was beautiful. Big enough for seven people to sit around.

 We sat around the hole, and looked at pictures of Henry. We ate pirates booty, flavored with sand and tears.  Owen wanted us each to put in a piece of macaroni, "more than one a piece would be considered littering."  Then, we put Henry's ashes, which looked like what the surface of the moon would look like, into the hole. His stardust dissolved into the water, and became part of the earth. It was quite beautiful. We all helped fill in the hole, adding extra salty tears to the sand.

 Pirates Booty, Mac and Cheese, Doggie, and Ball Blanket. All things I can touch to remember Henry. But my memories of him will forever be linked closely to Cannon Beach, I am so happy he is there.

 Quotes from Yoda: Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. ... the force is all around us, binds us... luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.

After the tears, we went to the water and had a great water fight. We were soaked. We laughed, and that's what Henry taught me. Be sad, cry, but remember to laugh and have fun!

 

Owen took a bit to dry out in the sun. He was the only one who had spare clothes to drive home dry in.