Mark at Shirley's Shrine

Today held some special moments for me. As I was walking along the Taylor River Tracks with the dogs I saw a young man heading to Shirley’s Shrine. He sat on the make-ship seat by one of the trees and my dogs made immediate friends with him.
Shirley was one of my “River Friends”. That is I only ever got to meet her on the river tracks and there we became good friends. Our dogs chummed up too and would happily play away in and out of the water having heaps of fun. Shirley suffered from cancer and she fought a very brave battle to the end. Some months before she died one of her own dogs passed on and she had him cremated. “He is to stay with me” Shirley said. Shirley never complained about her lot, I learned so much from her. Knowing her was a humbling experience. After she passed on her family set up this shrine of sorts alongside the river in one of her favourite areas. There is the makeshift seat, some tiny soft toys, photos and other mementos under one of the trees. Fresh flowers are left from time to time. Sometime a proper seat will be installed in her memory.
Today was special as the young man sitting under the tree is Mark, Shirley’s son. He was over here from Wellington and made a pilgrimage to his mother’s shrine. Shirley’s ashes along with those of her little dog were scattered here under the trees. Maggie, her large surviving doggie friend, still lives with family members here in Blenheim. Mark is a lovely young man. It was a pleasure to talk with him, to get to know him and to share memories of his lovely mother…..Shirley, a special person.