Saturday, January 30, 2010

Oceans meet


Last week we were at the Southwestern most point of Australia, near the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. It's the point where the Southern Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet. It was an amazingly beautiful spot and I felt blessed to be standing there. I brought some of Tyler's ashes with me when I came over here, but I hadn't really decided where I would leave them. I knew it wouldn't be in Sydney, as Tyler had been there once before. As we stood on this point where the two oceans meet, it suddenly dawned on me that I was standing on the very spot where he would have wanted to be. My dad happened to be with me this day and I asked him to help me spread the ashes. I saved half of them for him. My sweetheart took this picture of me scattering them into the wind. The moment felt the same as it did nearly one year ago when I spread his ashes in Arizona. It was as if a part of me was being ripped away and cast into the wind. I felt incredible trepidation as I walked to the edge of the rock. It was as if I was doing something wrong. Again, it felt like a betrayal in some way. I know he would have loved this beautiful corner of the world and knowing that made it easier to let the ashes go.

My dad said "Rest in peace, my son." I say "I hope you are in a better place and that there was some higher purpose for you in this vast universe. I have to believe that, otherwise your death will never make any sense or hold any meaning."

I love you, Tyler.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Another birthday


It's January 21st here in Western Australia. It's a beautiful day and we're enjoying the company of great mates and family, but there's a shadow looming. Tyler would have been 38 years old today. I imagine myself picking him up at the airport and taking him out for dinner in Freo. He would love it here.

I still can't believe he's gone.
I still get angry.
I still have moments of overwhelming grief.
I still miss him every day.
I don't expect any of that to change.
It's part of my new normal.

Happy Birthday, sweet brother. I can only hope you are somewhere celebrating a new kind of 'life' and watching over us as we toast the life we knew. You are sorely missed and always loved.