RIP Story : May 28th, 2024

“Kassie, remember that time we picked flowers in a field like this on that vacation to the Grand Valley?”

“Yeah, and you tripped and knocked off half the flower heads from the bouqet?” Kassie replied

They shared a laugh at what was now a funny story. It was cute then, funny now. “Mom would have liked it here,” Kyle said.

The winter rains and runoff from the mountains made this the largest natural botanical garden in the country. When they were kids, their Mom would take them on a walk through the botanical garden set up close to the farmers market. They would walk the loop and then do their grocery shopping.

“Remember that sausage roll Mom let us get one time?” Kyle asked.

“I’m telling you, it was there one time. Even Mom enjoyed her sausage roll. We would have gotten them again,” Kassie said for the thousandth time.

“I still don’t believe you”

“The regular stall has all the same colors. That’s what you remember,” Kassie said. Being older came with certain memory benefits.

“Well, what I do remember for sure was the flower stand that gave me a flower to give to Mom every time we were there,” Kyle replied.

“Yeah, that guy was nice. I never got his name. He seemed to like you,” Kassie said. She paused for a moment, then said, “Mom would have liked it here.”

“I have an idea. Why don’t we go to the bakery Dad always took us to. We can get something and take it over to Mom’s spot on the beach.” Kyle said.

“Ok, I like that,” Kassie replied. “There, I think I see a good spot.”

It was perfect. The hill sloped away to give a serene view of the river the flowed year round. The highest peak in the local range was visible and the patch of wildflowers had at least one of every flower.

“What can we use as a marker?” Kyle asked.

“Do we need a marker?” Kassie asked. “Come’er,” sah said to her brother. She put her arm around him as best she could. He was twice her size. “Look out in all directions. See how high the peak looks from here. Look at the path and how much we can see of the rover below. This moment and our memory is the marker.”

“I like like it,” her brother said. “I guess it’s time.” He swung his backpack around and slung it over one shoulder with the zippers facing forward. He unzipped a part of the bag. he took out a small plastic back that contained some of their Dad’s ashes. The tears had long since been replaced with peace for their parents being spread in the places they wanted to be spread. What the siblings did today was to spread the last of the askes they still had between the two of them.

They smiled. They silently wished their parents well and stood in the moment; surrounded by the colors of nature. A litany of happy thoughts about their parents from years past.

“Maple Bar?” Kyle asked.

“Maybe an Apple Fritter,” Kassie replied

“And a coffee, let’s get them while they’re fresh,” Kyle said.

They got to the car. Kassie turned at took one more look before they left. “Dad’s going to like it here.”

Thanks for reading, see you tomorrow.

EPILOGUE: Some of these are easier to write than others, this one was flowed.