"Where the ocean meets the sky I'll be sailing."

This weekend, as a family, we travel to Murrells Inlet to take Dad to his final resting place. We all gathered together on Heath's boat to say our final goodbyes to a man we dearly loved. Below is the prayer and poem I found for the ashes ceremony. The beauty of the Inlet, the feeling of closeness from family, and the peace in our hearts knowing that Dad is watching over us made this an unforgettable moment in time.


The sky as we placed Dad's ashes in the Inlet.

Heavenly Father,
You have shared with us the life of Bruce. Before he was ours, he was yours. For all that he has given us to make us what we are, for that which lives and grows in each of us, and for his live that in your love will never end, we give you thanks.

As we now offer him back into your arms, comfort us in our lonliness, strengthen us in our weakness, and give us courage to face the future unafraid. Draw those of us who remain in this live closer to one another, make us faithful to serve one another, and give us peace and joy that of which is eternal life. In your name we pray. Amen.

"Death is nothing at all"
Written By Henery Scott Holland 1847-1918
Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral

I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to eachother, that we still are. Call me by my old name, speak to me in the easy way you used to. Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed, at the little jokes we shared together. Pray, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word it always was, let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.