Yes, I have been away for a few days. This was a time for one of those most personal things…
My Mother passed away some time back, and, California, in it’s wisdom, decided to “process” my Mother, as an indigent.
With no survivors… Even though they were told that she had a son. That said son had been a Paramedic, in Colorado. One, even having given them the last known address of said son. That being me…
All in all it took months to sort things out. California, in it’s wisdom; Decided that, my COLB, remember those? Was not sufficient to establish that she was my Mother, or that I was her son.
Now, please understand that the last time that I received an actual Birth Certificate? It was basically unreadable. You see? The Marine Corps, for so long, was the red headed step child of the Navy. That said, my Birth Certificate was typed out on a typewriter that was probably obsolete before World War Two…
In any case, I finally received my Mothers remains. No one in Mexico Missouri that I could find had any interest in this issue of her final deployment, to use a Marine Corps phrase. So much for Baptist family ties, values, and so on. Extended Family as well.
My decision; was to bury Mother with her Granddaughter. One that she never had the opportunity to meet. I spread her ashes near to where I had done the same with my Daughters some years ago. That way they can watch over, and care for each other.
Should Ancestry dot com, or any of the others that are out there wish to know, should some ancestor someday want to know? They are just east of the Moffat Tunnel, in Colorado. It is a rather beautiful place, I think.
Semper Fi Mom. From your Marine Corps brat.
Tags: Death and dying, faith, Family, S.I.D.S., Semper Fi Mom
October 25, 2010 at 07:23
Most sincere (if late) condolences for your loss. One thing that bureaucracies can never diminish is memories and true family ties. I am sure that yours are strong enough to withstand such inanities as the State of California and its minions can muster.
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October 25, 2010 at 07:42
Thank you Maine.
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October 25, 2010 at 10:24
I have been all too familiar with this story, Patrick and I are close friends…
I hope that now he can have closure and find the peace he deserves…
I love ya my Brother from a different mother…
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October 26, 2010 at 10:17
Thanks bro, and I do know that you really do mean it.
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