My wife and I just spent the weekend up at the church with Todd's wife Cindy, son Mike ,sister Georgia and Cindy's son Jason and his better half Alicia.(sp?).....along with the wonderful mis-director of operations of The Guthrie Center, Sherry.
The ladies did a wonderful job designing and planting stuff at the front of the church. I carried heavy stuff when I was asked to, and tried to stay out of the way of the bendover ladies the rest of the time. <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>
A last wish and a promise fulfilled.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
When we got there, Todd's spirit was already there, when we left, so was some of his essence for eternity.
If a flower or a butterfly bush seems to smile at you when you visit there, now you know why.

aww larry, thanks for telling us about that. i was talking about todd today. i forget what came up that made me say something, but i mentioned to my friend how much we all miss todd, and he says, "todd who?" (no relation to "arlo who", i'm not sure he's familiar with "arlo who" or any "who" for that matter, but it was meant to be a big joke anyway because he does know who todd is, since i would share with him some of the things todd would post and we'd both laugh)...anyway, i actually spoke of him yesterday too when i saw something on tv about tasmanian devils and when they started snarling they made me think of how both todd and billy b would carry on together when i first got on arlonet, even though the cartoon one was the one i'd pictured them as...they just made me laugh. sorry for going sappy and sentimental on you.
...but thanks again for sharing.

...the "bendover ladies?" <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>

Larry, Do not sell yourself short...You carried rock and waste,the part I would always choose not to do,so valuable to the bendovers you were.
Todd will forever be everywhere on the church ground and roaming the railroad tracks,very fitting for his nature.
Sherry - thankyou for taking care of us, you are truly an angel in bitches cloak.(LOL) I love you and we certainly know Todd did. Mikie was saying He had to keep "The big butt babboon to himself." secret code between you two? YOU Have the final touch to finish and I have no doubt you'll do a great job. However if they could water the plants for awhile that might be good. But as we witnessed the rain stopped for us to garden and spread his ashes then thunder annouced slow boat and rain again.
Linda sweet Linda, Thankyou for the Butterfly bushes in memory of Todd what a gift from the two of you,not to mention you knew how to garden! what a plus. Time spent with all of you was the best.
We went to see the concert the night before with John Flynn. One of our Dear ones (and I know who you are!) requested that John dedicate a song to Todd, He sang "Tall Trees" He struck our hearts with such power we will never be the same.He will be remembered for his grace in delivering the song to our souls. After hearing John , Michael asked to hold his Dad's ashes before they were spread. His heart was full of love for Todd and he once again had him beside him in the church.
Georgie who of course knew Todd the longest and is more like him than not, gardened her butt off too. She would be the first to take his ashes and spread them where they needed to be, she choose the railroad tracks as Todd would walk them with her and talk about the past. How very appropriate.Bless you Georga!
Jason took care of the dogs and also went on the hunt for rocks and got a beautiful silver licorice plant for the occasion, I know it doesn't smell or taste like licorice but in his last days.....many pounds of licorice were consumed by him. Georgie fell in love with the plant and hung it on the parking side of the church.
Alicia took the tedious task of arranging the rocks that were found , Zenning her beautiful heart out.
Leaving the church has always been hard, now with my husbands ashes in the land, I will be drawn endlessly with my children to return.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lou-c:

...now with my husbands ashes in the land, I will be drawn endlessly with my children to return.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Please, Goddess, I look forward to many times there with you. Thank you for sharing.

Cindy, I'm so glad that you were able to do that for Todd. I know that's what he wanted.

Sorry I couldn't be there but am glad everyone else was able to.

You have enriched the meaning of the Church for us all.

So glad his last wish was able to be fulfilled. His spirt & memoery will live on around the church... <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>

well i'm glad you had larry there (linda too!) cause that means a part of me was there as well! When I stopped by the church a couple of weeks ago to say hi to the misdirector, I immediately 'looked' for todd... guess I always will now!
thanks so much for sharing todd with all of us, cindy and family.

Thanks for sharing Cindy. I agree (least for me) it's hard to think of the Guthrie Center and not think of that zany guy! Least after reading this anyhow. I was too caught up in the walk to think bout much anything but the Mountains & the music last time. BUT, I believe Todd would of wanted it that way. My friend Brian & myself even got to walk a distance with Arlo himself. Now that I think of it, maybe someone else was patiently walking along un-noticed??? I honestly can't think of anyone else I'd of wanted it to be.

Larry and JohnC & I got by the police station (man that's one hell of a hill) and reminised about Todd. We came up with one conclusion. The man was a genious!

Nuff said/RB

...thanks for telling us, Larry.....
...how absolutely perfect.....

Todd's Garden

...just an update....it rained yesterday and today so all the new plants are happy and wet....

i went out today to say 'hi' to todd and on the stone directly in front of the 'may all your weeds be wildflowers' sign was a tiny, beautiful butterfly just sitting there....

to all of todd's wonderful family: i just want to say thank you for letting me part of something so special and personal. it was truly an honor.

love and hugs,
the mis-director

Cindy and Georgia--I just want to say how good it was to see you Saturday. There were some mighty incredible vibes in the Church that night!

Although we never met, I feel that I kind of know what Todd was about thanks to you guys and this thread. Starting out the day a little weepy, but it's a good weepy. Wish there were more like you all in the world.

WOW....
I Missed alot.
Missed you all.
Missed me for awhile.
THANKYOU, cindy

Thank you for the report. I wish I could have been there, but should be up there this weekend. You can't really be there without thinking of Todd, but this time it'll be more so.

Thanks everyone for sharing... Wish I could have been there. I always looked forward to seeing Todd at the church shows and I guess I always will. Just nice to know that now, no matter what he will always be there.