Returning a Waterman to His Surf
Brian and Linda on a South America cruise
August 21, 2012
by Linda Dodds
My husband, Brian, was one of the lucky few who found out what he loved to do at a young age. Part prodigy, part rebel, Brian graduated from high school at 16 then headed straight from his family home in Los Angeles to the shores of Hawaii, where he became an early player in the surfing movement that would shape popular culture for decades to come.
Brian was one of the few who earned the right to be called a “waterman.” He was part of the elite migration of surfers who went to Honolulu in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s to catch waves and perfect the art of big wave surfing.
Not only was Brian a poet of the longboard, he could sail and swim with powerful ease and read the waves and atmospheric conditions with the accuracy of a seasoned oceanographer. The sea was such a part of him that you could show Brian random footage of some waves and he could tell you where it was taken by how the surf broke.
I had no doubt, when Brian died of a heart attack last year, that I would return this man of the waves to the rising crests of the Hawaiian surf he so loved. My reason to cruise was more a mission, to take a small part of him where he’d literally soared on Earth. I would start my Hawaii and Tahiti cruise with stops to spread his ashes, and continue on through the waters of the South Pacific that so reminded me of him.
When I met Brian, we were later on in life, both divorced and parents of two. No longer the full-time surf god, Brian had gone to college at the University of Hawaii, obtained a pilot’s license, flown some for the Flying Tigers and had a career as a lifeguard/search and rescue in Hermosa Beach.
Brian was still an adventurer when we met, but he earned his living in a more pragmatic way as a telecommunications sales executive, now in Washington state. He hired me to sell his house, and I did. He gave up his nomadic life for good to stay with me in the Pacific Northwest where we worked, traveled and became grandparents ten times over during the nearly 26 years we had together.
To prepare for my voyage, I carefully packed two vials of Brian’s ashes. One I’d scatter from Honolulu, before boarding Island Princess; the other I’d disperse from the island of Kauai, a seminal place in his youthful journeys.
My good friend Beverly joined me on the cruise. I am not one to sit in my stateroom by myself, but I was immensely grateful to have her companionship on this mission. It turned my remembrances from one of solitude and solemnity to a celebration of a heck of a life.
For the first vial, I went out on a pier in Honolulu and waited for a good wave to come in. Honolulu was significant. I remember once Brian showing me clips from one of those early surf movies, and there he was, young, vibrant Brian, gracefully riding his longboard.
At our port of call in Kauai, I walked along the beach until I found a beautiful spot with a garden on one side and rolling surf on the other. I couldn’t help but recall how Brian lived there, just a kid, in a Quonset hut with a bunch of other young men. He had told me so many funny stories about the laughter and antics of that time.
The cruise sailed on toward Tahiti. I’d symbolically returned Brian to two places that he loved. But when I think about his life, that independent kid who left home to follow his dreams in Hawaii, and how those surfing legends of yesteryear still inspire young people today, I know that Brian’s spirit resided there already and always had. Still, I felt at peace for completing this journey for him.
Linda resides on Fox Island, Washington and has enjoyed 16 Princess Cruises.
121 Comments Post a Comment
Continuing the Discussion
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says... December 19, 2012 | 2:40am
[...] To Scatter My Husband’s Ashes [...]
Linda,
Thank you for sharing your journey to return Brian to the Hawaiian surf. What a touching way to honor his very colorful life.
A lovely story and thank you for it. When I die I want to be cremated and have my ashes scattered in the waters of the South Pacific. Tahiti, as a matter of fact. No funeral, no service, my computer will be erased and my husband will send a few notes out that I am gone.
A funeral is for the living, so that the people who love you may have some closer and celebrate your life. If you don.t like funerals, why don,t you arrange for a party instead. A Bon Voyage Party!!!!
What a beautiful tribute to your husband. My husband, too, is an avid surfer (age 58). He went to Hawaii on his honeymoon with his first wife (and lost his wedding ring surfing!!!). I am so deeply sorry for your loss and hope your wonderful memories help to carry you through. Long live Brian’s memory and his longboard!
i luv ur story, if it or when it happens i wont to spread my or husband ashes where we have had those special moments together or when we had a happy family together because we still go there 3 generations later.
Linda, thank you for your story, you did the absolute right thing. Thank you for your corage and commitment, I applaud you.
Beautiful story! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful beyond words…..
What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing it must have been a little difficult to write this. This is what I would want my family to do for me, except maybe just on the way to Hawaii and let me go as I adore cruising. I wish you much happiness.
Your friends are so blessed to have you in their life…
Great memories are worth sharing, and we thank you for that!
So beautifully written and wonderful memories. We are so blest to know you both. Thank you for sharing. As Beverley put it we are bless to have you in our lives.
Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. It was such a beautiful one of love, adventure and honor. He now will always belong to the sea.
Linda, I loved to read this story. When we were in Hawaii we often thought of Brian and we imagined his life living there as a surfer. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Linda, thanks so much for sharing – this is so beautiful. I have so thought of a voyage – both on land and sea – allowing my husband to rest in all the beautiful places of our lives and I have just kept putting it off. Today as I read your story and tears have come to my eyes I realize that this is what I have been waiting to do…Bless you…
Linda, thanks so much for alerting me that the last cruise I booked for you and Beverley would be the lead in the blog. It is a lovely story and I am glad that Marty and I had a chance to sail with both you and Brian several times. To the good times!
What a great “Love Story” thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your awesome story! Your love for him still shows!!
Thank you for not only doing this for him but for yourself. I can only appaude your decision and what a great honor for someone who loved the ocean and your travels together. God bless.
He was very lucky to have you in his life. It was a beautiful tribute.
Wow, Linda what a beautiful story! Sounds like you two were very much in love. What a wonderful gift you gave him in spreading his remains in his favorite spots!! Certainly his spirit lives amongst those waves!!
This is a beautiful and touching tribute to Brian, to you, and to your love for him, which shines through in every word you wrote. Thank you for sharing his life story, your journey together, and your wonderful, beautiful honoring of his memory. I feel as if I knew you both, thought we have never met.
Very cool! My husband has spread some of his Dad’s cremains on a couple Princess cruises we’ve been on. In Alaska where he had always wanted to visit and at Inveraray Castle in Scotland at “Clan HQ”…we are the Campbell Clan. I know his Dad was smiling down on him when he did this!!!
Thank you for sharing Brian’s wonderful life.
I truly felt the joy that the two of you must have shared in life together. Your story reminds me to love and honor my loved ones every day, while I still have them with me!
Margie says My dad, Howard, cruised on the Independence 32 trips among the Hawaiian islands. He died at 88 in 1992 and I scattered his ashes off the deck just off Diamond Head, just as he had told me to. He had reservations for his 33 rd trip, so that was it.
You tribute to Brian and his full life doing what he loved speaks volumes about him as a great person. It saddens me to hear of your loss and what he meant to you.
Hi It Brought tears to my eyes. You are one special lady.. Good luck for the future..
What a beautiful tribute to your late husband. What a fitting place to catch the last wave. Having lived in Hawaii as a young man myself in the 60′s I can remember the fun in the sun and good times. Thank you for sharing your story.
Aloha Linda, we are honored to have Brian back home in our islands. Malama pono!
Linda, you are a brave woman, and I know your hubby is heaven surfing now, and smiling down on you with thanks for what you did for him. Also, what does “Malama pono” mean? My hubby and I are going to Kauai in September for his 75th birthday. I will be thinking of you, and realizing how fortunate I am to have him with me on such a big birthday trip!
Malama Pono means “take care”
Beautifully written, a true love story
Wonderful story Linda. Thank You for sharing.
What a lovely story,thankyou. Next time I’m in Hawaii I’ll think of your Brian riding the waves just as he did as a young man.
When I lost the love of my life I was given a saying that I want to share with you as it seems as if you had this kind of love for each other. “This I will remember when the rest of my life is through, the finest thing I ever did was simply loving you.”
Peace to you and your family.
Linda – This is the first story/e-mail I have read but it won’t be the last. Thank you for sharing; I thoroughly enjoyed your “love” story.
Gretchen – After reading Linda’s story – your quote had a lot of impact. I was very close to tears.
Thank you for this quote, I lost my husband Bob 15 months ago, tragically, and have spread his ashes too, where he left instructions. With tears in my eyes, I thank you, as he is so missed every day.
Made me cry. A beautiful tribute.
As I struggle with the loss of my 20 yr son recently and realizing I wouldnt normally read these emails I know that God and my son has brought me your love story so that I may honor his wishes. My son loved the waves as your husband and I want to thank you, I know he needs to be set free in the ocean. Beautiful love story.
I am crushed to read of your loss. God bless you and your son. As you mourn him, may you also find the peace and strength to live fully again.
Linda I can truly understand. When our son died at the age of 21 we scattered his ashes in a Northern lake …. His love was Nature and competitive swimming, the water was his home. I will think of Brian when we sail those waters.
As I said above, I wish the same to you. Peace and strength.
Linda,
As I read your account, I became filled with emotion. As I analyze that, I am sure that it is because you two lived your lives to the fullest, and I have not. There is less to be sad about than there is to celebrate in what you have written.
Thank you very much for sharing such a beautiful story about a man who knew how to make the best use of his time on earth, and for sharing the obvious love you feel for Brian. I know that love will never leave you, and I hope that you rejoice in the rememberance of the time you had together.
Brian and I are about the same age, and I wish I had him as a buddy who would convince me to follow the same path.
Kindest personal regards,
Charles
Charles. Take that risk now while you still can. It’s never too late to follow your dream
A beautiful Story . Thanks for sharing
This is truly a love story.
Be blessed and enjoy life.
OMgosh…that was soooo wonderful and and unselfishly kind for her to share the story of a well loved life. Thank you, Linda Dodds.
What a wonderful story. This is what my husband and I are planning to do.
I hope you continue to celebrate his life with your adventures.
Linda, what a wonderful tribute to Brian! Thank you for sharing your story. Though we may lose our loved ones, we always have those wonderful memories of their footprints across our lives.
You inspired me! Thank You Linda! Love
I don’t read these type of emails either, but the picture was inviting… and I read on and on. What a tribute! Thank you.
Thank you for sharing a wonderful experience. Once again I realize that life is short, we should live at our best.
Thank you.
Linda-Thanks for the memories. My father was also from Hermosa Beach and loved the ocean. We scattered his ashes in the Pacific right off of 25th Street where he spent much of his early years.
I have a son who lives this life in Indonesia surf guiding off all the Islands, and now at 42 he is to be married to a beautful indonesian lady my wish for them is that they have the marriage and life you had with your husband. This is not the life we would have chosen for our son but this is where he is happiest and who can ask for more
Linda, I was so touched by this amazing story that you shared, Keep Brian’s memory close to your heart and you will have him with you always.
Wow, I’m getting all teary eyed. What a beautiful story.
Linda,
This was absolutely beautiful. So glad you found eachother and shared your story.
What a wonderful fingerprint story. Once you read it, your heart is touched and the fingerprints last forever..
I will think about your story whenever I cruise those waters- his spirit is soaring on the waves. Bless you.
Great Story. Congratulations!
What an amazingly strong woman you are to be able to do this for the man you loved so dearly. I’m glad you were able to do this with a friend and not have to be alone on such a wonderful journey. You are truly an inspiration.
Beautiful tribute to wonderful memories. I, too have spread ashes in those places we loved to go. The mountains, the desert and the sea were places we traveled and I still do knowing I am never alone. Memories are wonderful things to make us smile, inside and out.
Beautiful story. My husband was very active in the surf community too and we frequented many of the same places you mentioned. He passed away in February of 2010 and I have spead part of his ashes in Newport Beach, Ca, Costa Rica off the Coral Princess and next summer the final stop will be in Hawaii.
It gives me great peace knowing we will be together again one day. God bless you.
What a wonderful way to honor him and the life he loved so, god bless!!
Sadness is the purest and sweetest emotion expressing an attachment to a loved one. Loved your story. I also had a Brian who died of a heart attack. He was mine for 26 years and now I blog and live life on my own terms, because that’s what he did and wanted for me, forever. I have two kids, 11 year old girl boy twins, who he and I called the Haiwaiian coconuts. I wish for you a continuously wondrous life. Thanks for sharing. It’s rare that I read something so touching. FYI(interest), my blog is at http://www.immyandthecoconuts.
love from Immy
That is such a touching story Linda. Thank you for sharing.
This was beautiful beyond words — thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your wonderful story, Linda! I bet Brian is catching waves throughout the Pacific coast…
Linda, Your story has touched my heart. When I am felling down I read it again and again. My heart will be filled with love after doing such. Thank you for your story.
Thank you for sharing your “love” story!
Loved ones are only gone when we can not celebrate their life, loves, and joys. Brian will live on throught you and all the memories you shear of him with the world. I bet you never thought that after a year Brian would still be meeting and being such an inspiration to strangers, because I feel like you have let him touch my life is a very special way. Thank you so much for introducing Brian to us. Hugs and Love, Laura
What a beautiful love story, and what a wonderful way to share his spirit with the places he loved. Thank you for sharing.
What a very lovely, well written & touching tribute to a man you obviously loved very much.
Thank you Linda for sharing your beautiful story. My husband died this year and we too, married later in life. there were many hours that we shared on cruises and I understand your how you wished to return your husband to the places he loved.
What an amazing story!! I have also remarried later in life and we plan on living it –with our family –to the fullest.God Bless You!!!
Dear Linda,
That was such a beautiful story! What a wonderful life he had and now you made it even more special. Thank you for sharing.
What a truly beautiful way to honor your husband and his memory! I lost my husband four months before our cruise to Hawaii. I still went with my sister and brother-in-law because I knew Mitch would want me to continue living the life we had planned. His favorite days were the sea days between ports and I can still see him leaning over our balcony gazing out at the water with the wind blowing through his wonderfully thick, somewhat long white hair. I will continue to cruise with Princess to keep those memories of Mitch even closer to my heart.
Linda,
What a beautiful story of your love for your husband. I too lost my husband of 37 years a short 4 years ago. He had just retired and we were about to do all the traveling we had talked about. I have taken, and will continue to take his ashes so that he will be a part of my adventures and will be forever in all the places of our dreams. God bless you and continue your travels.
I too lost my husband too soon. We were just getting to a comfortable place in our lives. Our children were almost grown (he had 3 & I had 3) so we could travel. I have scattered his ashes in the places we loved to go. It gives me much peace to know that his spirit lives on and that he travels with me still.
Wonderful story, I just lost my companion this past June 14th he was the best friend to my late husband. Although we never cruised together I have many great memories of our short time we had. I am so happy for you that you had a friend to share this experience with and hope you continue to enjoy your life as I am sure your husband would want you to. Happy cruising.
Wonderful story! Thank you for sharing it.
Virginia Degner author of Without Consent
What a tribute to a life well lived. Blessings to you on the rest of your journey!
An unforgettable, moving story. May God bless you for taking Brian home.
Unforgettably touching, May God bless you for taking Brian home.
A very moving and touching love story. However, I was moved even more by the many replies to this story.
Linda
You just convinced me that I need to fulfillmy Tom’s wishes to spread his Ashes on the. Napali coast on. Kauai.
Linda
My ashes will also be scattered at sea. The Pacific Ocean, with hopes that some day they will drift to Alaska, a place Princess has taken me twice, and will again take me there next September. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
Linda,
I know exactly what you are going through. I lost my husband 5 years ago. He loved to sail and was refurbishing his boat to circumnavigate, when an accident took his life. Each time I go on a cruise, he goes with me and is scattered in the Big Blue. My goal is to get him around both Horns.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful love story. You are an outstanding writer. Your words conveyed Brian’s history as well as so well described the enjoyment the two of you had for 26 years. Blessings to you, Linda.
A moving story and wonderful tribute to your late husband. Life and death and a return to the pleasant memories of youth. Everybody’s gone surfin-Su and yourfin USA.
Thanks for sharing.
Linda, I was unable to attend Brian’s service, but now seems as if I did ! So glad Your wonderful daughter Merry posted a link to this. Love you dear lady see you soon
Linda,This is beautiful. I didn’t realize you had a mission on your cruise, but happy that you had a wonderful life together. I wonder too, if he’s in the line up in the photos hanging in Taco del Mar restaurants?
Linda,
Brian was truly lucky to find such a great real estate sales person, kept her for life. This story is soooo beautiful.
Your story moved me to tears and I just wish the world could share your love.
Brian may have gone but your memories will stay forever.
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Its 10 years since I lost my husband to cancer and Until today I did’nt know where to place his ashes.
After reading your beautiful story I know exactly where they are going thank you for the inspiration Gods blessings
As per my husband’s wishes I went on my first Princess cruise with a widowed friend and scattered some of my husband’s ashes in the water’s of where we spent our honeymoon. I have also scattered them in places where we traveled to in addition to places we dreamed of gping to. As my son ays, it continues the chain of life and brings comfort to me.
What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing.
Your story is so very touching. May God continue to bless you with comforting memories.
This truly was one of the most beautiful tributes. It is so refreshing to have read of the wonderful memories and true love which the two of you shared. As my husband and I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary to Hawaii in October, I will smile as I look out and think of the great gift of life we all have been given….and I will think of your Brian. My son and my daughter-in law share a love of the water and surfing…so your story was truly special. Thank you for sharing…God Bless you and Brian
What a good life your husband and you have and will never end while you and your children and grand kids will carry with them. My friends from up the coast a great surfing spot and where I brang up my children in a little beach town. The guys from long board club all ride long boards there age over 40 years old to 70 years old are people like your husband who can read the waves and the energy they have is so specail and thank you for your story I to put my fathers asher in the water as he loves boats and worked diver and he wanted to go to the whip sundays was his dream to go but because of illness with his legs didnt end up making his way up to there on his boat but before he died he smile to me while I was telling him handing his hand that he was on a baot going up to the whip sundays Islands with my stepmother who had pass away told my dad she was with him and the waves were spashing and he listen with a smile on his face he was in no pain as asked the doctor night before ti make sure my fatger is in no pain as he where he always wanted and he did in spirt and die a happy man was dying of cancer so my dad was in no pain keep talking to him about him on the boat heading to the hevan . I kiss my dad told him we all love him and his wife is waiting and he can go to her now sailing together then he die with a smile on his face dreaming go to hi
My reason for going on a cruze is to take my mother she alway wanted to go on crize and would make my mother so happy to go on a crize with my mum as I no will be the time of her life being with her daughter myself because we are close my mother is the sweetest lady anyone could meet and her life has not been easy and my step father past away three years ago so I packed up my kids and house and move to be here for my mother. I alway have more of my fathers ashers and would love to put them in the water at the whip sundays Islands. My mother deservse to do this and has alway talks to me about people shes knows and her sisters go on cruzes few times a year and I told my mum we will go on a cruze together and one day in next year would love to have the money to take my mother. She has lose two children and now she is going older i need to make her wish come true and no one else but myself my mum would go on a cruze with. My mother is a specail mother and im the luckest to have her a mother like mine. Also puting my dads ashers at the whip sundays will make two reasons I would like to take my mum on a crize . Regards
What a wonderful story and you are a beautiful lady. So glad you shared this with us it brought tears to my eyes reading it. Now Brian is where he has always loved to be and one day you will both be together. God be with you Linda enjoy the rest of your life because Brian would have wanted that. God bless.
What a lovely story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
A great story, a great life, a great love.
Hi Linda,
Ironically, I read your story and was so touched. Both of my sons’s surf, we live in Stuart Florida. Last night we just returned from a surfing trip in California ,Huntington Beach & Del Mar. My younger son Zach who is 18 years went to Honlulu last winter for 3 weeks to visit a friend. He came home and said he is moving to Hawaii. My husband and I are not fond of the idea since it’s so far away. However, I understand he needs to follow his dream and continue searching for the perfect wave.
I appreciate your story and understand how important this meant for you to honor Brian’s passion. The surfing community is so tight and I never appreciated the unity until my son’s took up the sport. Your story was inspirational to me and & it will help me deal with Zach’s decision to follow his dream.
You are a special person to share such a personal experience and Brain was a lucky
man to have found his soulmate.
A very heartwarming story – thank you so much for sharing. Your husband was a lucky man, to have experienced a love with a woman who always had his back – what more could any person ever ask for? Your tribute to Brian, is beyond words.
Mahalo
What a touching story!!! Brian is where he’s always been!!!
I also committed the ashes of my Mom and Uncle to the sea off Diamond Head a couple of years ago from the Golden Princess. They were both born and raised in Hawaii… Aloha
I was amazed at all your comments and feel so blessed that so many of you shared your stories with me. If Brian’s story touched so many of you, I feel his life was well shared. Thank you all
Worked with “Buddy” at Hermosa, Redondo, and Manhattan beaches for a few years, haven’t seen him since those lifesaving days. Sorry to hear he passed. He is one with the ocean as all of us lifeguards want it to be. Enjoyed hearing about him. Great story.
Bob,
I sent a copy of the video of his surfing days that we showed at his service to the Lifeguard reunion group for last summer’s get together. He was in the footage of ‘Ride the Waves’ in the video along with a lot of his old surfing buddys from the first time they went to Honolulu. I know you must have known him from his youth as only you and famiily knew him as Buddy. He never outgrew his love of the sea.
Hi Linda,
As a fellow surfer from that era I can appreciate all of your sentiments and Buddys love of surfing. My surfing was mainly on the south west corner of Australia at a place called Yallingup.
Surfers throughout the world in the early days had a common bond their complete love of the ocean and as you mentioned a sense of fun bordering on insanity with their antics.
Good luck.
I was struck by your resemblance to My wife who I lost in November 2011. She was a
beautiful lady and I miss her very much. She had Alzheimer’s so actually I lost her
bit-by-bit over a period of ten years. I am 85 years old and wondering where I go from
here. I will go on a cruise down the Danube from Sept 28 through Oct 13th. I am not looking
for anyone but if the right woman comes along, who knows?
Aloha Linda…mahalo for sharing such a personal yet universal story about Brian. I am fortunate to continue to live and thrive on my birthplace Kauai and its such a privilege to be of service for so many guest coming here and all the other islands for such amazing reasons. My concierge business usually assists folks new to Kauai with shoreline accommodations,guiding and escorting on whats great in the activity field, sumptuous island style cuisine, etc…So much fun to customize each groups desires to what resonates with their taste…recently, i had the pleasure to accompany a family in saying aloha to their loved one who passed on and his wish was to have his ashes scattered in gorgeous Hanalei bay. It was especially touching for me as my mom and brothers ashes are here as well!!! I get to surf my favorite warm ocean swells amongst the spirit of my family and others who cherish this as a awesome every flowing memorial! mahalo mike @ http://www.kauaistyleconcierge.com
I have scattered my husband’s ashes in Bryce Canyon and want to put some in one of his favorite places in Kauai next january, the best island there is. Would love to do some off a Hawaii cruise as that was our favorite cruise of all times.Thankfully I have my sister to do things with and we look forward to our next princess Cruise, the best cruise line there is!
Thank you so much for writing such a beatiful life long tue love story. I have been fortunate to have cruised with my daughter, granddaughter, her husband, my son and daught in law. There is no better way than to cruise with the ones you love now and forever. My dream is to have my ashes scattered around Alaska, then most beautiful place in the world to cruise. I am sad that my husband has never wanted to go with us.
I hope to go on another cruise soon, as my daughter and sons health is priority at this time.
Thank you again
PRINCESS CRUISE LINE IS THE VERY VERY BEST. THE CREW MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE FAMILY.
THANK YOU PRINCESS FOR MAKING MY LOVED ONES AND MYSELF FEEL LIKE ROYALITY.
what a lovely memory to share…so glad you could turn loss into positive memories
Linda
Your story was absolutely beautiful, one I will never forget. I just lost my Dad, at 93 years old. He lived and raised his family in the Hermosa Beach area. I remember surfing with him nearly day, he taught me at a very early age the beauty and peacefulness of sitting on a board just waiting for the right wave. While packing his clothes up I remembered seeing a t-shirt with 12 long boards and their owners standing on a beach, the caption read “Hermosa Beach Surf Club 1939″.
I just ran and looked, the t-shirt is in my closet. I wonder if your Bryan is on it. If you would be interested in seeing it, I can be e-mailed at “dianegoofy@aol.com”. I will be leaving at the end of Feb. to take Dad’s ashes to Hawaii and paddling out myself to scatter them just past the surf line. I know that is the greatest gift I could ever give him. Again, thank you for your story. It inspired me.
Yes such a wonderful sentiment. Our family friend was embarking on his around the horn trip, I asked him if he would do the honors, as the “horn” was one place my wanderlust father, due to WWII never made, however my parents wished there ashes together,& so they were, coincidently it was their anniversary, all went well until some oaf. Stole his camera as he put it down on the dining room table, so be could eat his lunch, he gold the restaurant, but I a sure they were use to theft.
All we wanted was the memory card, the felon can keep the $500 camera, I only hope the theft gets his Karma owned to him .