Today was a good day to visit Mum and Dad at Mountain View Cemetery. They’re on the Rose Wall of the Vancouver Crematorium, right next to each other, Angela first, then James.
As I write this, I’ve just gone to see Mum and Dad and wipe off their lettering. The roses in the little garden below them look weather-beaten, but their memory is safe up on their wall next to their neighbours.
On the way in, I passed the biggest monument around, belonging to a “Mr. William Dick”. It really stood out. I guess ol’ Willy had something to prove.
I’m now sitting by a little fountain listening to it bubble, and hearing the birds sing and a crow call. It’s actually a nice place to hang out after a brief visit. In spite of being right on the intersection of 41st and Fraser, once you’re a little ways into the grounds, it’s not as noisy. I saw a squirrel prancing and jumping across the grass, scooting over the plaques to get to his next tree, and for the past few minutes I’ve been hearing conversation and laughter from a group down the lane behind me, sharing their good stories.
I guess today’s lesson is that it’s not all just tears and remorse at the cemetery. It’s kind of nice too. But the wind is picking up and I’m sure we’ll have a big dowsing of rain later, so I’d better go home.
