My beloved farmer's ashes came home this afternoon. On Sunday his sister, his niece and I will scatter them into the hedgerows of his fields.
The hawthorn blossom is out on the hedges, the new green leaves are just bursting. On the beck the marsh marigolds are flowering - deep yellow - one of his favourite flowers. In the wood the bluebells are out - some blue and some white; he would always come home at lunch time and tell me when they burst into bloom.
On the wires all the swallows are here. He would count them until he saw how many pairs would be nesting in the barns. Two pairs of pied wagtails are back and are pecking in the yard.
He would have noticed all these things - he was a countryman through and through. He would have noticed and then come in and reported it to me.
I just hope that wherever his spirit is - it is seeing all these things just as he has seen them for the last seventy three years. Seeing them and taking simple pleasure in the arrival of another Spring. God bless him.
God bless you both, his love of the countryside will live on through you and those who loved him. X
ReplyDeletea lovely tribute---- I'll miss those observations and your reporting of those sweet moments that you shared.
ReplyDeleteThank You for writing this. I feel like I was there with you as you talked about all the flowers, birds and new growth around you.
ReplyDeleteI came to know The Farmer through your writings and have loved every moment you were so kind to share.
cheers, parsnip
Sending you a ((hug)) for Sunday
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts will be with you on Sunday x
ReplyDeleteHe will take it all in with you
ReplyDeleteThen a cup of tea.x
A fitting and enviable tribute to and about the Farmer, Sunday will be a day of great nostalgia.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post that reflects so much love….I hope the sun shines for you all on Sunday!
ReplyDeleteA big hug to you Pat. I'll be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteBlessings be to you too. He'll be in his beloved place always.
ReplyDeleteA very perfect time and place for his ashes to be scattered. Blessings to you in all your future days.I have been reading your blog for several years now and have a good feeling for the countryman your farmer was, someone who loved nature so very dearly.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThe best time of year and the best place for his ashes to be scattered, and I am sure where ever he is, he is noticing all the beauties of the countryside that he loved so much. Much love to you.xx
ReplyDeleteHe shared each spring detail with you, and now you for him.
ReplyDeleteSuch a touching expression of your love for the Farmer. Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt tribute! Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and the Farmer, now and Sunday. Knowing that he will be a part of the land must be a soothing touch on a grieving heart.
ReplyDeleteDear Weaver, thank you so much for this post. I thank you also for allowing city folks like myself to know so much more about real country life through all that you have written about the Farmer. It has meant a lot to me. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings - I believe the Farmer is not too far away. Will be thinking of you on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteMary
The hedgerow idea is so blody fitting. How lovely
ReplyDeleteGod bless you both, as long as you keep his memory alive he lives on, and because you have shared him with us we too carry his memory.
ReplyDeleteHe must have taken so much pleasure in sharing his love of nature and the countryside with you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your Farmer. How wonderful that his ashes will be scattered at such a lovely time of the year.Enjoy many happy memories on Sunday as you spread the ashes in the places he loved best.I hope the sun is shining. XX
ReplyDeleteDear Pat, today's post made me well up. It sounds as if spring is making an extra effort for The Farmer. Here is wishing you all the strength you need for this very emotional time in your life.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds exactly right - we are of the earth, after all. He will return to His earth, tended by Him, loved by Him. Part of it, always.
ReplyDeleteIt is so good you are not taking him away somewhere he could not count the birds and see the crops.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute, and so much love. Hope the Sun shines for you on Sunday. X
ReplyDeleteI know, I am only a simple man, under the high roof of the skye. So teach me to serve as quietly as I can, Loves holy cause. For I myself am nothing, soon I will wither away, but Your power is embracingly wide. Take me as a seed in Your field, nothing more, God, give me peace."
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favourite poems in a very rough translation. Thank you for sharing such a tender and loving thought for the Farmer. God bless you!
It is as if the birds he loved are already gathering to wish him a fond farewell.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Weaver. God bless.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote that so beautifully. Bless you, dear lady.
ReplyDeleteAshes in his fields. Ideas about noticing and caring for the countryside blowing abroad on the winds of the internet.
ReplyDeleteAshes in the fields he so loved. That's just beautiful. Big hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteI'll be there with you when you return him to the soil. I can think of no better tribute to someone who loved the countryside so much.
ReplyDeleteThe swallows, the blue bells; nature itself will always bring memories of him.
ReplyDeleteA hug, I will be thinking of you tomorrow.
Greetings Maria x
Returning his spirit back to the earth Pat - he'll be there all the time - looking over you.
ReplyDeleteDxxx
Think we will all be there with you as The Farmer's ashes are retureds to this beautiful Earth. May his spirit continue to roam the fields. X
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautifully written. He will back to the place he loved the best. God bless you both. Sue H
ReplyDeleteLovely, Weave. That will be a very special day.
ReplyDeleteA bittersweet day for you all tomorrow. How lovely that you will be returning him to the place he loved most.
ReplyDeleteA perfect post and tribute. I'll be thinking of you on Sunday. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteHow very difficult for you and how very beautiful of you. When my father passed my brothers and sisters took his ashes to his grandparents farm.We each spoke as we released him to a place that he loved dearly. Only later did I find out that he joined several cousins that also had their ashes sprinkled there, it is a beautiful farm with many wonderful memories for a very large extended family. Dad would have approved.
ReplyDeleteA loving tribute. Bless you both.
ReplyDeleteI have adapted Fairtrader's words - thank you Fairtrader.
ReplyDeleteHis niece will read her poem again and I shall read this:
You were the simple, gentle man
Here under the high roof of the sky.
You were the love of my life
And now you have withered away.
I myself am nothing without you, but
your power is embracingly wide.
We put you here as seed in the fields you loved.
God give you peace.
Your adaptation is a beautiful tribute.
ReplyDeleteYou will be in my thoughts on Sunday.
Beautiful fitting words, Pat. My thoughts will surely be with you as you give this farewell tribute to your loved one.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful your life was together in the country enjoying nature's treasures.He will always stay with you in spirit.
ReplyDeleteI read this post and could imagine the flowers and the wild-life -- hawthorn and bluebells were particular favourite. I am so glad to hear that you will be spreading the farmer's ashes on the land that was so close to his heart. However, I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to your Farmer. May God bless and comfort you! Thank you for allowing us to know you! Gabrielle 🌻
ReplyDelete