I’m not religious but was brought up going to chapel/church and I have great respect for friends who are true believers. Sometimes I want to believe that life as we know it is more than just coincidence and evolution, but the scientist in me holds me back.
Yesterday fellow blogger Broad did a beautiful post about her ‘sacred place’. You can read about it here. This set me to thinking about where my spiritual place would be. I didn’t have to consider for too long as I knew exactly where that place would be.
It would be the summit of a mountain. When my time comes to an end I would like someone who loves me to do for me, what, because of circumstances, I didn’t do for my father. It’s a long story, and not really one for this post, but Dad wanted to be scattered over the Brecon Beacons.
Courtesy of The National Trust
His sister wouldn’t attend a cremation, so he was buried in the churchyard a couple of hundred metres from my house. She still wouldn't attend the burial because it wasn’t in Wales! The decision was the right one because when Mam died less than a year later she was buried in the same plot. So, there is a little corner of a Staffordshire churchyard that will be forever Wales!
Anyway this is my place and one where I have felt great peace.
From the summit of the Dent d’Oche the view one way is of Lac Leman and from the other is this spectacular view of the Dents du Midi.
This is not a morbid post, but is for me uplifting. I have no doubt that in one way or another I will climb to the summit of that mountain again…
Good morning Gaynor, This is a beautiful post. I have goosebumps as I'm tapping out these words. The photos are wonderful, the mountains glorious, and your story about your dad is so very moving.I'm glad you have felt uplifted rather than sad by these thoughts.I think The Broad's post for yesterday has probably got a lot of us thinking similar things today. This is lovely, thanks for sharing it. Janice
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janice. It was nearly ten years ago now, and my mother was in the early stages of Altzheimers which made the process difficult for my brother (who at that time was living in Germany)and myself.
DeleteStill, time heals.
For me I wouldn't describe anywhere as spiritual - I would say special and atmospheric and how you get a feeling of it being a real privilege to be there. There are several places in the Australian outback that would go on my list. Then there are the places where I can be quiet and calm, the main one being our orchard, where I spend a lot of time observing and thinking.
ReplyDeleteThe outback sounds like a similar sort of wilderness to a mountain top. I can also understand the appeal of your orchard.
DeleteI have only one place I want my ashes to go to, and that is with my Mum, Godmother and Grandmother in the Haycombe cemetery in Bath. I have it written in my will. All of Nigel's family is there as well so there will be a lot of catching up to do! My Dad got his wish to be buried at sea, we sent his ashes away in a light wind off of Cape Town South Africa. Diane
ReplyDeleteIt's good to make certain everyone knows your last wishes! I'll make certain too.
DeleteHello Gaynor:
ReplyDeleteWe do not find this strange at all and have, indeed, left very clear instructions as to what we wish to happen after our deaths.
I'm convinced that this is the best idea. In control until the end ...
DeleteGaynor, thank you so much for your kind words and for the link back to my post. The Brecon Beacons are so beautiful and I can understand why he would have wanted his ashes scattered there. My husband's mother and two aunties, who were also the closest of friends spent many happy hours together in Richmond Park in Surrey -- and that is where we took the ashes of the three of them -- the whole family together -- it was the perfect peace for them...
ReplyDeleteI feel closest to my parents when I'm in the mountains. The scenery is majestic.
DeleteI enjoyed your post very much. Keep 'em coming!
when I look at the simple pansy on my front porch...the color, the symmetry, the beauty...I cannot imagine how anyone could doubt.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Momto8,
DeleteThere is a lot in what you say, and a belief like yours is wonderful to hold to and live by.
I've had a quick look through your blog and you have a lovely family.
Mountains make me feel closer to people I've loved, and lost.
Kind regards
Gaynor