Saturday, January 10, 2009

Funeral for a Friend

This morning we headed down to Barton Springs spillover to give Melbotis a good place to be, and to have an opportunity for us to say a kind of good-bye. We'd mentioned that we were doing it, publicly, but I sort of figured it would be me, Jamie, and Jason if we could get Jason out of bed.

Instead, we were joined by Steven and Lauren, Matt and Nicole, Jason, Reed and his daughter, Meredith. I could say something about how Matt held us all up by insisting on being late and making everyone stand around in the cold, but I won't. We'd decided ahead of time that we weren't going to stand around and eulogize Mel. We care a huge amount about him, but... you know, words usually fail, anyway.

So when Matt and Nicole showed up (eventually...*), we all tromped down to the water and Jamie and I thanked the folks who came. It was oddly empty down at the water's edge. I'd never been to the spillover when there wasn't a single person or dog around, and, yes, it was fairly early and it was cold here this morning, but it was still strangely quiet.

I tossed a ball for Mel out to the middle of the creek so he'd always be able to play. We spread his ashes into the water and sent him on his way with a Milkbone.

Afterward, we packed it in and went to Shady Grove for lunch, where we were met by Letty and Juan.

All in all, it was a lovely day. And a reminder of how amazingly lucky we are to have friends who show up on a 45 degree morning sometime before noon to help us wish Mel godspeed. The whole week, honestly, has been nothing short of overwhelming with the thoughts and expressions of friends, family, surprise web posts, strangers... It is a good old world, sometimes. And its funny how even when he's gone, Mel, and all of you, have helped to remind me that's true.

So thanks to each and every one of you.

Good-bye, buddy. There are many people who love you very, very much.


*I kid because I love. But, seriously, if I die, we're not waiting on Matt to get his coffee. Just bury me, for chrissake.

8 comments:

Michael Corley said...

I could only hope to half half so sincere a send off at the clearing at the end of the path.

J.S. said...

Are we supposed to bury you with your comic books?

The League said...

"With"?

I think you mean "under".

I think I feel a blog post coming on.

Laetitia said...

It was nice seeing you guys. Happy to have seen you! :)

The League said...

Letty, it was great that you and the husband could come out. We were thrilled you could come.

We'll get together soon.

Dug said...

Kristen and I were there in spirit while we were warm and indoors thousands of miles away.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry we couldn't be there. It sounds like the perfect tribute.

JP said...

wish i still checked my rr.com email address, so sorry i missed this. the place you took him is where i taught him how to swim when he was just a baby puppy. it was cold cold, and the current was strong, but he swam, and loved it. he was just a little furball then, and so cuddly. he still thought he was a lap dog at 75 lbs. i'll miss you little guy.