Dasher and I had multiple conversations about where he would like his ashes spread, there were so many places we had traveled. He wanted to be in Franconia NH, the town where our lives together had begun in July 2008. He showed me Artists Bluff, a hike we did often when we lived in the area. This would be a magnificent place to do ceremony and spread his ashes. On March 27th we met with my dear friend Cindy and her dog Elliot. I packed my ceremonial items, the ashes, other artifacts and my drum. Cindy packed food, snacks and water. The day was beautiful, and the temperature perfect for a hike. I had forgotten just how challenging and steep this hike was as we began our climb to the top of Artists Bluff in Franconia Notch, NH. We had great conversation along the way and Elliot was so fun to have along as our canine companion. We arrived at the top of the Bluff and sat to take in the view. It was truly spectacular and the view stretched far up in to the mountains as we enjoyed the slopes of Cannon Mountain.
We had snacks and I began to play the flute. How far I had come in my own journey, now being so comfortable playing my flute and drumming without shrinking and avoiding people who were also climbing the mountain. I found a ledge that seemed a perfect place to stand and spread the ashes. I would grab a handful at a time and send them in the wind across the ledge. It was such a great feeling.
As I got to the last handful, I decided to use the beautiful, carved box to spread the ashes
. As I flung the ashes from the box, some other force pushed the box from my hand and as it flew, it landed at the base of a tiny tree on the edge of the ledge!! I stood for a moment and then moved to retrieve the box. I stopped almost immediately realizing that the box had landed there for a reason. I stepped back and witnessed for a moment. Beside the box was an empty can with the word BAXTER on it. Was this the name of my next dog? Maybe a man coming in to my life?
The box should have gone over the ledge and yet it landed exactly in a place where the tree held it. It was surrounded by lower branches of the tree and as I looked more closely I realized it is exactly what Dasher used to do. Wherever we were, he would find a place to dig a hole and lay down, usually in the bushes, or under a porch, and this was how the box had landed. It was for me to leave it there.
It was so empowering to understand what had just happened and honor the process. The heart rock that I had found outside my camper, and the 8 of clubs I found in the camper, the day before Dasher transitioned were placed on top of the box.
I stepped back and enjoyed the most amazing view, I picked up my drum and stood in honor of this incredible companion who was still by my side and making himself known even during this very special time. I drummed for a while, eventually stopped and listened to the silence. It was a beautiful experience. I climbed back up to where Cindy and Elliot were sitting, a huge smile on my face, and peaceful feeling in my heart. Cindy shared that many people who arrived at the top of the mountain walked over to where I was drumming and gently honored what I was doing and backed away. Cindy also commented that at one point while I was spreading the ashes, the wind blew them in an arch over the top of my head.
The weather was bright and sunny and we spent a little more time taking in the energy of the ceremony and then decided to make our way back to the car before the sun set.