Maybe we are a family of procrastinators, perhaps we just wanted to wait until we were all here and could be involved. Regardless, on Saturday the 12th of July, one year and eleven months to the day since dad died, we headed down to our beach house in Florida (just south of Mandurah), spent the night, and on the Sunday we all drank a toast to dad before grabbing some of his ashes, and spreading them where "we felt it right". Unusual perhaps, but we all quite enjoyed the occasion, the kids (my brother Andrew's) especially. Suffice to say there is a little bit of dad scattered all over the place, in all the nooks and crannies, on the beach, even in the little boat in which he spent many an hour hunting (as well as cursing that damn out board motor).
The reason I hinted at "procrastinators" is that we also thought it a good time to scatter my grandfather, dad's dad, Andrews kids great grandfather. He died in the early 80's and has been in an unremarkable box ever since. I have mixed emotions about my grandfather, but I did my bit and whilst doing so, I believe I got some resolution. We had a fantastic lunch of crabs, prawns and wines. It was most fulfilling. Naturally dad's great friends Robin and Jenny Sims joined us and while they found it a somewhat unusual ceremony, also enjoyed the process and being an integral part of the whole Mandurah / Warden history and experience, were a most welcome inclusion.

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