Saturday 14 May 2011

Watching for the ferryman


Botany Cemetery and Crematorium overlooks the entrance to Botany Bay, a stretch of water that resonates finely with the start of European settlement in this wide, brown land. This is where my immediate and extended family gathered on Wednesday to farewell my father who took his last breath in the early, dark hours of last Monday.

I returned yesterday for a tour and discussion of the options available to me for a lasting memorial to him. I would think that a view like this would be to die for.

18 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

Such a beautiful view, Julie, but such a sad reason for seeing it now. I'm glad you have your family around you.
Love, K

Stefan Jansson said...

Your father rests at a beautiful place.

orvokki said...

I'm sorry for your. But as Steffe said, that is the most beutiful plce to rest.

You have already Saturday, we have still Friday evening in Finland.

Unknown said...

Stunning photos. Your family is still in my thoughts.

TheChieftess said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your father's passing Julie...I am sure that he will be resting peacefully for eternity in the beautiful spot you have chosen for him...

Victor said...

My condolences for your loss. Your father has a beautiful resting place.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Beautiful photos Julie,such a historic view.
Take care
Grace

Jim said...

I'm sorry for your loss, Julie. It is a beautiful resting place. The colours are so vivid in your shots.

Mark said...

My sincere condolences to you and your family.

freefalling said...

Happy trails old fella.

Sorry you won't have your Dad around anymore Julie. I'm glad you got to be with him in his final days.

Ann said...

A beautiful resting place.

Joe said...

I hope the past week has not been too difficult. I look forward to more of your photos and wise words.

Mary Ann said...

Historic cemeteries are wonderful, as is your style of posting touching and witty things all at once.

Yes, the view is to die for. My condolences.

Julie said...

Thanks Mary Ann - it is indeed, bitter sweet. But he was very old, ready to go (keen even) and I was holding his hand and watching that very last breath as I had promised him I would. In reality, the 'ferryman' was I.

Thank you to each of you, for your condolences and kindnesses. The gamut of emotions is still carousing, and they are not in the least what I had expected. But, as they say, time moves on.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

A lovely view best enjoyed by the living I think. But your dad would probably be pleased with the choice. Even the inevitable takes us by surprise. You were able to keep your promise. That's all that matters.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Julie, I found that too when my Dad passed on, the emotions where not what I expected. I've also found that each loss is different - something different to treasure in each person, their last days and their farewell. Those memories live on to gently comfort us in the long remembering that follows.

Jilly said...

This ferryman sure can take photos! These are stunning. I reckon your father planted those clouds perfectly for you and you, of course, have the eye to see. Absolutely fabulous.

Dina said...

Shalom Julie. This is sad news that you have lost your father. But yes, it is a beautiful place to rest in peace.
May his memory be a blessing.