On the Road with the Birds | Honoring Last Wishes and Life!
Have you ever had the opportunity to honor a loved one’s last wishes?
We’re all so scattered these days, relatives living all over the country, continent, the world! Often when one is preparing for death, they make requests. Perhaps you’ve honored a special place to be buried, a celebration, a memorial.
For the Bird family, my father-in-law requested that after cremation his ashes be taken back to his hometown and scattered on his parent’s grave site. His home church and family grave site was quite far from his home but dear to his heart. He would often return with Mr. Bird for annual family reunions.
Of course we said yes!
So, as you know,
we’ve been on the road! We’ve visited family, worked on the @mountainjewel homestead building a Straw Bale home, visited Colorado with lots of baby snuggles and bucket list wishes! We’ve traveled through 9 different states, visited so many beautiful Parks and now we find ourselves at this stage of the journey!
In Iowa!
Did you know, Iowa is comprised of 92% farmland? And the hogs in Iowa outnumber the humans 4:!! Yikes!
Speaking of farmland, check this out!
I immediately noticed some farmers actually terrace their land to better utilize the hilly terrain! I didn’t realize Iowa landscape was full of hills! Beautiful! Genius!
Recognize this town? Ottumwa?
I turned to Mr. Bird and asked why it sounded so familiar, he grinned and said “Remember Corporal Radar O’Reilly?" The 1970's TV show M.A.S.H? Do any of you remember that show, lol (I know, it dates me)
M.A.S.H. photo thanks to Pixabay
And on we drove…
through the beautiful countryside! Seeing barns with such character, many stories to tell! !
We talked about our parents, fun family times and how we missed them. Before you know it, we arrived.
Sharon Presbyterian Church
What a sweet old church, established 1895. Now included in Iowa's Historic district!
As I stood there taking pictures I though how interesting it was to imagine great, great grandparents had attended this church. Services are still held each Sunday morning. These beautiful gates, such interesting detail.
A time for reflection, a sweet spot, well maintained.
In the midst of it all, Life!
It was indeed an emotional visit, but a peaceful time to reflect. Family members, some we never met, last wishes fulfilled.
The journey continues! Stay Tuned!
Thanks for stopping by my friends! Have you had special requests to fulfill? I would love to hear about it.
And as always, blessings to you all!
Honoring the wishes of others is so important to one's emotional state. It means I can rest my soul in some ways. Or know that I have laid theirs to rest.
Iowa was a surprise to me when I went. So beautiful and the terracing is pretty cool. I knew immediately the Ottumwa sign! LOL Who doesn't remember Radar? Even the Millenials do.
I look forward to reading the rest of your journey. Safe travels. xoxo
Yay!! good to know I have a fellow Steemian who remembers MASH. Funny thing, when traveling there are limited TV shows available, this one is usually available, lol Iowa surprised me as well, I wouldn't have thought it so beautiful, the terracing really caught me off guard. You know, visiting this Church was so serene, I felt connected to the names even though we hadn't met. True closure for my husband, he really needed that. So many stories over the years. :)
I agree with you. In so many ways. xoxo
I love that first photo, well I love them all but that first one is so different and fun
Iowa sounds a bit like New Zealand we used to have 20 Sheep per person but it has not dropped to about 7 per person
What beautiful sights on your journey and thanks for sharing with us the trip, wow so many states what a trip such beauty and emotions with laying the ashes of your Father in Law
Ohh yes I remember MASh I loved that show but I didnt remember that was where radar was from
Thank you @tattoodjay! I thought that picture was fun, in fact when I saw it sitting on the bench I laughed out loud! Had to share it with you all:) So a New Zealand thing, huh? I love it! I was a bit alarmed at the hog to human ratio, lol I would feel a bit better knowing it was sheep! It was a good experience, brought closure, which was much needed, thank you my friend! (btw....loved MASH...knew it would be unknown by most on Steemit, lol)
Yeah I do agree the sheep to person ratio just doesn't seem so bad lOL I think many on steemit may well be to young to know of Mash which is a pity it is such a great series
It is an important to thing to honour someone's last wishes...
... but it does seem to have taken you through some pretty beautiful landscapes and towns! The buildings, so white and pristine! It really looks like something out of a movie set!
We are indeed enjoying the landscape. Brings farming and it's impact to another level. Hard work, the land, the old barns, really fun to see :) Thanks @bengy
I’ll have to admit I remember mash. 😊 They still rerun the show on some tv channels.
A lovely place to honour your Father-In-law. May he Rest In Peace. 🕊
Thank you @redheadpei! Between the nostalgia of Ottumwa and our journey to honor my father-in-laws wishes it was certainly a time to reflect on lots of memories :) A great journey! (MASH was all over the airwaves throughout the midwest, lol)
So cool Mom. I’m so glad you all are taking this trip and thanks for documenting this process 😘💚
I have lots and lots of photos for you :) I didn't want to include any of those here, we are enjoying all of it, emotional for sure but it really brought an interesting feeling of closure, especially for your dad. Thank you sweetie, I love you! oxoxox
Love and peace to you and your family.
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Thanks @felt.buzz, blessings to you as well :) Thanks for stopping by today!
What a lovely thing to do and honour his wishes 🙂
I've been through Iowa and the Western states a few years ago, your pictures reminded me of the trip I went on and remember there being a LOT of farmland haha. I'll have to dig out my journal notes and get a blog or two going 😁
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Pull out those pictures and that journal! We would love to hear about your travels. I'm really enjoying our country it's been fun, it's so easy to get stuck in our little circle of the world. Thanks @nickyhavey we were glad to bring closure to an important promise made, peaceful. :)
Well in that case, I'll do it @birdsinparadise! Loads of travel blogs to come this year now 💪
You guys have a lot of beautiful places over in the West for sure, it's why I visited 6 times 🙂 and I'm glad you got the closure, that's an important thing to do too
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That's so lovely that you were able to honor his wishes! A very serene resting spot indeed. I bid you continued safe travels my sweet birdy friend!
Thank you Katie! It was actually a peaceful thing to do. Even though I hadn't met anyone buried there, it was emotional. I felt a real connection to the place. It felt good to honor what he wanted. You are so kind and caring, I truly appreciate you!
💓💓💓
I remember Mash!
It sounds you had a beautiful trip and new life and death are so much part of our human journey.
I am just traveling back from Colorado as well :)
Wonderful! good to know there are a few of us here on Steemit, lol! The farmland was beautiful, expansive and well tended. I hope you enjoyed your Colorado visit too! Can't wait to hear about it :)
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