About a year ago, Joy Cayler and Her Brass Beat scheduled a reunion for the weekend of July 20th-21st, 2007. “We Three” – Stella, Erik & me – were thrilled to be invited to stay with Joy and Nancy – in their home – for the reunion weekend.

Sadly, Stella suffered a devastating stroke on 9-16-06 that eventually ended her life on 2-12-07.

While Mom’s short-term memory was completely gone following her stroke, this special invitation to the 2007 Brass Beat Reunion remained fresh as a daisy in her mind until the day she died.

Stella had long drummed into our heads that she didn’t want formal services of any kind. Her one regret was that as she and John never married,  she couldn’t be buried with him in Denver – at Fort Logan National Cemetery. So… she asked to be cremated – no muss, no fuss, and NO services. Instead, Stella wanted a PARTY in her honor – and party we did.

My cousin Steph (Stella’s favorite niece) lovingly opened her home for just that purpose! Steph & her mom (Stella’s sister Mildred) & a few of their dear friends – who knew & loved Stella too – prepared a charming champagne brunch. A very small & special group of Stella’s admirers came to the party and shared their favorite “Stella Moments”.

It was AWESOME!

Still… there was the Brass Beat Reunion coming up in July, and as Brass Beat was and is our family, there was no question about Erik’s and my attending.

But… how to get Stella there, and to spread her ashes with her John? (The government – and the airlines – want permits, special dispensations – a whole raft of things that cost a bundle, take time… forget about it, right? WRONG!)

While shopping for “legal travel-size* containers of toiletries, I was suddenly struck with an inspiration… (thanks, Mom!)

I bought a travel-size bottle of Gold Bond Powder (which I highly recommend anyway), took Mom’s ashes over to Erik’ on the day of our departure, we dumped the GB Powder into a bowl, sifted a couple tablespoons of Mom into the bottle, poured the GB powder back into the bottle, and…

Our last day in Denver, Erik and Mom and I drove to Fort Logan Cemetery, found John’s grave, took a few pictures… and (a couple of details omitted) we told them to go have some fun!

On the plane coming back to SF, Erik said, ‘It was a GOOD thing we did today – for Gram, for John – and for us – doncha think? Its sorta like: It is done, now – its complete.”

(He’s a pretty smart kid, that Erik! Doncha think?)

BTW – if you’re not laughin’ right now, then you didn’t know Mom very well!