Brian and I had a conversation in the truck about where I'd like my ashes cast around, like when I pick the seedheads off my favorite pick and salmon salvias, sprinkling them in certain spots of the garden, hoping some seeds will sprout and grow into spiky, vertical flower punctuation marks.
For a while, I didn't know. I appreciate the ordinary, the everyday. So sending a loved one off on a quest to sprinkle my ashes in a grandiose place according to a grandiose plan just isn't me.
Someplace local fits better. But my garden or Bayshore Blvd. seemed a tad too ordinary. Brian asked if I'd like my ashes spread at Upham Beach, and I knew Upham Beach was the right spot.
This beach, which I don't go to often enough, it's ordinary to suit me and extraordinary because it has always felt special to me.
A 32-minute car ride from South Tampa, packing up and heading to this beach felt like freedom. It's unassuming, tucked behind condos. It's non-commercial - no fake gift shops or glamorous people. It has been my favorite beach, a quiet, natural place with clear water, sea life and a few rocks.
This beach brings me joy. I'm glad we figured out where to sprinkle my ashes.
