for mom & dad
By the time this piece is published, I will be back in my Mustang convertible, that was my mother’s, this time heading north to my hometown, Cleveland, Ohio. Hopefully my sister will not have flight problems and will arrive there via plane.
A trip delayed two years due to quarantine: Together, Kathy and I are scattering our parents’ ashes from Cleveland, to Ann Arbor, where they met at the University of Michigan, Traverse City, our father’s
home-place, and finally to Mackinac Island, one place we celebrated happily as a family, dating back to these photos. The last time we visited the island was for my folks’ 50th wedding anniversary weekend. Two of our cousins are meeting us along the way and my dear college buddy and her husband are in Traverse City. My daughter and her husband are joining us on Mackinac. Joy mixed with sorrow.
Grand Traverse Bay, circa 1955
I am in the back sset with my brother.
My Traverse City bubbe is in the front, passenger side.
I think we will be crying and giggling the first night when we sneak after dark to our old Shaker Heights house and scatter ashes over the lawn that my father fastidiously kept perfectly watered and professionally trimmed.
This morning, packing, I was looking through my closet. I forgot that after my mother died in 2019, when I cleaned out her closet, the only piece of clothing I saved was a luscious Ann Klein woolen shawl, deep purple with strands of turquoise wool. Exquisite. She never spent much on clothing, so she must have really loved it. Besides, she probably carried it from Cleveland when she moved to Florida and I imagine she kept it even though she wouldn’t need it in southern Florida. It will keep me warm on cool northern Michigan nights and carry her with us. Her amethyst bracelet matches. When she gave it to me, she asked,”Do you like pink bracelets?” I thought she must have had one of those plastic bands. She brought out this golden, pearl, and amethyst beauty! I wear it often. As well, I am bringing a blanket she knitted: With it, I will cover their boxes while they take one more convertible ride.
in the cordoned off Jewish section, Traverse City cemetery, maybe 2015.
He wanted to visit his home-place one last time.
We had so much fun “revisitng his life.”
My father died in 2017, age 92.
My mother died in 2019, age 90.
They were married for 67 years.
I will write more about the rest of my road trip in my next piece.
This one is for them.
What a beautiful tribute to your parents! So glad you are able to go with your sister and that you will see other family members along the way. Thinking about your trip gives me warm and loving feelings and brings tears to my eyes. I love you and miss you.
Oh, Dee, thank. you so much for reading and responding. I am staying north of Cincinnati tonight so I have a light drive tomorrow, which will be a busy day. Watching analysts comment on today’s hearing.