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Spreading of Ashes

10/20/2018

3 Comments

 
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Saying goodbye to a loved one can be difficult, especially when they hold a very special place in our heart. When that loved one dies, a piece of our self dies as well. But we have to remember that life happens as it was meant to be. God has a purpose for us all! Whether we're walking on Earth and leaving footprints in the sand or we're flying up above looking down and watching over everyone else, we're where we are for a reason.
Recently my family had to say goodbye to a very special woman....my grandmother, Ilse. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gunter. They are survived by their 3 children (and their spouses), 8 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.
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Their children all gathered this past week to celebrate their lives and spread their ashes. Their souls will now swim together! Their ashes were spread at the joining of Gooseberry River and Lake Superior. They will swim through the lakes, visit Madeline Island and someday reach the Atlantic Ocean. They immigrated to Canada & the United States from Germany, so it is only fitting they swim the waters they once traveled together long ago!
If you would like to see more footage from the ash spreading ceremony, please watch this 7 minute video below. The first song was one that Ilse had loved and found fitting for when this time came and the other song was one that the two of them had loved to dance together to long ago.   xoxoxo
I couldn't be more honored to have had the chance to capture these special moments to share with the rest of the family & their friends. Please watch and celebrate their lives with us! Remember the good times and silly stories. Cherish the heartwarming moments you had with them. And hold no grudges on any negative times.
When you see a cardinal flying around you, know it's them just checking in and saying "hello"!
3 Comments
Karin B McCall
10/24/2018 07:30:21 pm

Cassi, I just watched this again and want to say thank you for creating such a lovely memorial for us.

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Cassi Hejlik
10/24/2018 08:11:34 pm

Special people deserve to be remember in special ways. You are so very welcome! I'm honored to have been a part of this and capture these memories for all the kids & the rest of the family! I watch it all the time & although I'm incredibly sad they're no longer with us, I feel so happy knowing they are back together again!

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Keith A. McCall
11/4/2018 11:39:30 am

Thank you for making this video and sharing it.
I liked the symbolism of both mixing their ashes and releasing them into the water, to stay or to cross the waves as they see fit.
The music playing while their ashes were given to the water felt very much like something I might have heard them playing in their living room in Minnesota. I liked that.
It was lovely to go from the ashes to the picture of Gunter and Ilse together. Despite the challenges and all the ups and downs of life, they were together and are now together. That is beautiful and not to be taken for granted.
Love,
K

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    THE AUTHOR

    Aside from being a part-time photographer, I am also a wife, mother, business woman, veteran, crafter, gardener, camper, hunter, fisher, avid walker, cyclist, and thrifter!

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