OUT and Beyond
It was 6:00 am on June 22nd 2020. I went Out. Out of my apartment and all the way Out to New Mexico with Judy. I had sheltered in place and visitors were not allowed. I had seen her once in three months. My hands were certainly clean and I owned several masks. I was ready to go to the cabin Frank and I had helped build a dozen years before. Valle Escondido near Taos, is truly an ‘Enchanted Valley’. A place apart. One she and Bob dearly loved. Sadly, Bob died of pancreatic cancer on January 8th. It wasn’t the same, but his presence was felt everywhere. Their three children, Josh and Nicole, J-D and Sally, Daniel, Katie and two-year-old Emmett were there. So was Julie, Daniel’s, mother. We celebrated Bob’s life and scattered his ashes in places dear to his heart. Despite grief and sorrow, there was joy, laughter, music and love. Four generations: nine adults, three dogs and a two-year-old under one roof! Our morning wake-up call was usually the sound of thundering little feet running down hall to the tune of, ‘Hi Ho, Hi-Ho, and a cheery little voice calling ‘Daddy-O’. Daniel was up first, making his special brew of coffee. Breakfast was always a special meal. Emmett loved to help by beating eggs and adding cheese. Great cooks and willing hands kept things running smoothly. Meals were served on the deck, under sunny skies, towering evergreens with lots of little birds, billowing white clouds and the bluest of skies. At 8,700’, the air was cool. When all was ready, a volunteer prayed and all, especially Emmett, joined in a hearty, ‘Amen’. Several ‘worked from cabin’ keeping virtual office hours.
All our meals were delicious, homemade pizza, beef with special rubs, hamburgers and brats on the grill and on and on. One meal stands out in memory: Nicole’s marinara sauce and meatballs over spaghetti. The sauce was a recipe from a little grandmother who ran a cooking school in Italy. One meatball was different! It had a candle and was served to me! Everyone sang, Happy Birthday! I received homemade cards and best wishes! A real surprise! Especially since my birthday was two months away. But times are uncertain and who knows when we’ll be all together again? Roasted Brussels sprouts, a delicious salad, homemade sourdough bread, Creme Brulee and a choice of wines rounded out my ‘Birthday Dinner’. It was worth getting older early.
Night skies are dark in the Valle. There are no city lights for miles. I usually got up around Two and stepped out on the deck. Millions of twinkling stars and the Milky Way stretched from horizon to horizon. One night, Judy came to stand beside me and as she approached, a shooting star streaked across the sky. We felt is was Bob.
We set aside July 1st for remembering Bob. The family, and two neighbor couples, close friends, gathered at the little lake half a mile up the road from the cabin. It’s a special lake. Josh and Nicole were married on it’s shores five years ago in October. The day before Bob’s birthday. The aspen were golden and all was well with the world. Emmett loves to hike and the lake is a favorite destination. On this day, Judy took a small Viking ship, for Bob’s Norwegian heritage, and some of Bob’s ashes. Songs were sung, words were spoken, the little ship sailed on the lake and Bob’s ashes were scattered on the waters, Later, everyone drove up the rough mountain road to the trail that leads to don Fernando, a favorite mountain peak. A steep hike. At the top, there was more singing, more words and memories. Ashes were spread to North, South, East and West. The spot was marked with stones and branches. Bob, may you rest in peace until the resurrection of the body. We know your spirit is with God. You live in our hearts. Although you left far too early, we treasure the time you were a part of our lives. I’m glad I got to be a part of this celebration of your life. (It was worth the quarantine I’m in now.)
Tess Todd
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