My mother loves to discuss the merits of different graveyards.  On a weekly basis, the subject of cemeteries creeps into our conversation. Years ago she purchased four plots in a cemetery called “Ocean View”. Despite the name it is 20 kms from the nearest body of water unless you count the wading pool next to the main driveway. Apparently the corporate owner in Toronto looked at the aerial map of New Brunswick and figured it was close enough to the ocean. This week she visited her friend Gerri’s grave for the first time. Mom’s friend of 22 years,  Gerri pasted away from ovarian cancer this past March, leaving a gap that no one can fill. Knowing how difficult this trip was for Mom, I let her ramble on.Â
This is how today’s conversation went……. “…it’s lovely! On flat ground. Beautiful lawn. And what a view Gerri has. It’s in the new part, they just opened. ”
“Did I tell you that your uncle Phil is buried in his wife’s family plot?” Mind you he’s too close to the road for my liking. Actually if they were thinking they would have placed him head to head with Bob. That would have given him much more room.”
“Can you imagine, they’re all buried there. Her parents, her brothers, her husband, her brothers’ children.  ” Isn’t that nice.” “Maybe I’ll call Ocean View, sell those plots and buy new plots near Gerri. ”Â
I know Mom and what she was thinking. She envisioned all seven of her children side by side with her and Dad. Apparently she forgot the argument she and I had a few years back when I casually announced I would be cremated.
“Cremated”, she shrieked. “It will be over my dead body that any of mine are cremated”.
“That can be arranged’…….I shouted back.