Not sure what I’m trying to say here. I live in Brittany and although Halloween is gaining ground as a ‘thing’, and the shops are increasingly full of pumpkins and spider webs, the main focus here is the First of November, ‘Toussaint’ or All Saints. In every churchyard the tombs are being washed down, spruced up and decorated with the most beautiful floral displays in remembrance of dead loved ones.
For the last 20 years I have always visited the churchyard at Toussaint. Each year I have had a friend or two to mourn as I am quite a bit younger. This year though, my husband’s name is inscribed there amongst the dead. How has this happened?
My husband isn’t buried there, nor his ashes scattered. He donated his body to medical science, so there was no ceremony. I’m completely happy with that, but I had his name inscribed on a granite plaque in the memorial garden. I wanted some acknowledgement of his name and his life, and it seems right that he should be there amongst my dear friends.
I haven’t bought a floral tribute (he would’ve hated that!). But I will pick a bunch of whatever is still flowering in the garden and take it there on Friday.
