He Drove to the Oak Hill Cemetery then back home then back to the cemetery where he walked around different parts of the cemetery before going into the cemetery office then to a stonemasons' shop then to the County Courthouse and then, finally, back home.
'What,' I asked myself, 'is he doing?'
Then I remembered a conversation I overheard between my Donna Lee and her teddybear several years ago, before I was transferred to Doggie Heaven to guard the Small Doggie Lawn.
It was about them being cremated after they died and what, if anything, they wished to have done with their ashes. (remains, if you prefer)
The teddybear responded rather quickly as he sometimes is wont to do, with something like, 'It won't matter to me what you do with mine since I'll be dead anyhow. You can flush them or do whatever you want to with them; spread them around your plants like fertilizer, as a source of potassium.' And he chuckled (he does a lot of that) at that suggestion.
My Donna Lee grimaced at that bit of tripe and, as she is wont to do, pondered the question for a time before giving the answer anyone who knows her would expect. (since she is a very considerate and loving person)
She said, "Honey, (she used to call him that once in a while-why I haven't a clue since he is anything but) I want to be someplace where the kids or anyone else can come to visit; a place that bears my name." Then she quickly added (as I knew she would) "I'd really like you to be there with me."
The teddybear got quieter than I have ever seen him. Then, after a brief moment, he reached over and took her hand and pulled her to him and hugged her and gently kissed her. I knew then that it would be the way she wanted it to be.
Then I did what I should have done in the first place; I tuned in on the teddybears brainwaves, his thoughts, if you prefer.
He had found a nice spot in the cemetery, right next to a drive, (where it can be seen on a rainy day without getting out of the car) and bought that small plot of ground for my Donna Lees' and his remains to be buried; together,- forever.
Then he had stopped at the stonemasons shop and arranged for a headstone for their last resting place. It is polished stone and will have inscribed on it; Together Forever,- JC and Donna Lee then at the bottom, Alexander.
On the top left will be a rose, inscribed, 'Skeeters Rose' in honor of my Donna Lees' last little girl, a charcoal colored yellow eyed Burmese (she really loved that cat) and on the top right will be the image of the top part of a Chihuahua inscribed, 'Chico.'
He didn't put ...'the Wonder Dog' on it because only he called me that. To my Donna Lee, I was just always her, 'Chico'.
Then the teddybear went to the courthouse and got the appropriate permit to have his sweeties' remains put into their final resting place.
I felt myself slipping away then as I watched a large sigh come from the teddybear. I think I saw a little tear collect and trace it's way down his cheek. I think he is relieved, now that he has finally arranged for his sweeties request to be honored. I know I am.
Now all that's left is to have her placed in her final resting place, (he'll do that soon) where eventually, he will join her.
Well, there you have it. You can (or may) do with it as you wish. (or not.)
Arf...
