Soaked in memories

I sat off the shores of the Huon River today, drowning in the memories of my childhood …

Looking in towards 7 Inch Beach.

It was an overload of emotions pouring over me as I paddled slowly along the shoreline with every log, every rock, every inlet holding a memory from my younger life.

I have spent days and days playing on this one log now almost hidden by the water

They were all good memories, happy memories, and I just wanted to smile and laugh, but instead I found myself fighting back tears, or letting them flow, because today was a happy day, but also a sad one.

Today would have been my father’s 84th birthday, but instead my family and friends gathered around the boat ramp that he built, stone by stone, all those years ago … to say goodbye.

Kim and I had arrived earlier in the day and, with Dad’s ashes in the boat with me, we’d gone for a ramble around all the places that Dad and I would wander together as he’d tell me adventure stories from his life …

Then I went for one last paddle alone, well just me and dad, drowning in those memories, readying myself to say goodbye.

Rachel and Kath said their own goodbyes on the ramp …

Before Ashley, Sam, Jayden and I paddled out to the end of the Island, and looking back towards our childhood home, we said our final goodbye …

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

Still round the corner there may wait

A new road or a secret gate,

And though we pass them by today,

Tomorrow we may come this way

And take the hidden paths that run

Towards the Moon or to the Sun.

Goodbye, Dad.

On ever on….