A Memorial for Nana

April 4 –18 we stayed near Aunty Pat at the East Shore RV Park. We were assigned to the “A Hill” section, a new area for us in this huge park, our fav when we are in SoCal. Site 104 was near the bluff with a good view of the little planes taking off from the private airport below and the San Dimas/Glendora lights at night. There were well-tended trees and grass with occasional rabbits and one little coyote running by Mom’s window.

Time with Aunty Pat was great. She is feeling much better than one year ago when we were here. She is back in her condo, which was modified by her son Benny so she could live on the ground floor, and avoid the stairs. She is spry and fun to be with. We enjoyed some lunchtime at Flappy Jack’s, In and Out Burger, and Costco. Just a family of party animals!

An important event for us occurred on the anniversary of Nana’s (Velvia Mae James Connelly) birth, 15^th of April 1907. As you may remember, after her death on November 12, 1985, Nana’s cremains were spread at sea beyond San Pedro, CA, Latitude 33 degrees, 37’1 North, Longitude 118 degrees, 18’1 West. I was unable to attend that event and have wanted to go out there some day and pay respects. So, short story, Aunt Catherine and I chartered a boat to take us out there on April 15, 2010.

Another important family obligation we would take care of would be the spreading of the cremains of Nana’s half sister Aunt Billie Jo Hallmark. Aunt Catherine had been the custodian of those ashes since her death, April 23, 2000. Aunt Billie’s happiest years were when she lived close to the Pacific Ocean and her wish was for her remains to be interred there. So the plans were to take her out to sea to join her sister.

Aunt Catherine, Becca and I drove down to the Port of Los Angeles to meet the good ship “Finally Us” with Captain George and “the crew” Diane, and we set sail for " our 3 hour tour”. The slow trip out of the harbor was very interesting, especially the huge cranes loading and unloading the container ships. At 5 miles per hour, the speed limit in the harbor, it took an hour to get past the breakwater. We enjoyed the sights, went out on deck, and had some snacks. Becca, who had for several days looked forward to going on a boat, really enjoyed herself. However, when we reached the open sea and picked up speed, we commenced what Captain George referred to as “rocking and rolling”. He counseled breathing deeply and watching the horizon could avoid that motion sickness. The problem was that the pitching of the boat caused the horizon to disappear. Aunt Catherine had taken some seasick preventative measures. Becca and I felt OK until we didn’t, and measures were too late. The good news is that when we got back to the calm harbor we were fine again.

              

Eventually, the “Finally Us” got to the designated spot and stopped while we conducted a brief ceremony. Aunt Billie’s ashes were lowered into the ocean. Aunt Catherine tossed in a bouquet of roses. I dedicated the resting place. And that was that. The remains of the two sisters, very close in life, were now close in the deep.