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Carnoustie – Long Journey Home

  • October 6, 2024
  • Jack

Our Scotland visit ultimately originated with the sole purpose of bringing my parents, John and Ann, to their final resting place.  Both passed in the last few years, and they wished to join my Dad’s parents, Harry and Charlotte, in a special place in Carnoustie.

The special place was on the Carnoustie Golf Links and a small bridge over the Barry Burn (a Scottish term for large stream or small river). Why special? It was in 1923 that my Grandfather Harry proposed to my grandmother Charlotte Kilgour, which is what the K of JKStuart stands for. Shortly after, they married and immigrated to the U.S., my dad was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1926.

Charlotte circa 1920 on Bridge
Harry & Charlotte 1922
Mom 1993
Dad 1996
Bridge 1998
Bridge 2024 (Closed)

Scotland has always held a special place in the Stuart family, particularly that little bridge where my parents scattered my grandparents’ ashes many years ago. My parents also wanted to be reunited with Harry and Charlotte after their passing. This year, my sister Christie and I (with our spouses) returned to that special bridge to scatter the ashes of my parents and give them a final farewell in that same burn that flows to the North Sea. After a day of scouting the area for the exact spot, we found the bridge that began it all. Unfortunately, it was closed for safety reasons, but we could still get down to the burn underneath it.  The next day, we held a little service at the bridge before scattering their ashes. As a special treat, cousin Rose (from Hythe in Kent) joined us for the day (her grandfather was my grandfather’s brother). As the tide came in, their ashes flowed out to the sea, and the Stuart tradition that started on this little bridge came full circle. My parents loved Scotland and loved to sail; they would be smiling down from above, knowing we honored their wishes and brought them to their final destination.

From my remarks that day, a fitting poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson:

Crossing the Bar

 

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

 

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

Turns again home.

 

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

When I embark;

 

For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crost the bar.

Barry Burn
Special Place
Jack, Christie, Rose
North Sea - Final Destination
Post Ceremony
Family with Rose

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8 Responses

  1. Nick Metcalfe says:
    October 15, 2024 at 5:11 pm

    What a lovely story.

    Reply
  2. Joe & Beth Parrino says:
    October 11, 2024 at 9:24 pm

    Heartwarming Jack. Thanks for sharing and SO GLAD you and Karen got to bring John and Ann back home, and that your sister and your cousin Rose got to be there.

    It was so nice to see you both in London (y’alls other ‘home’) two weeks ago.

    Reply
  3. Susan DeCorpo says:
    October 8, 2024 at 1:02 pm

    Lovely tribute! We should all be so fortunate to carry on from a special place. I’m thinking the Thames or off Diamond Head. Well done, Jack! Enjoy the return to London, always a special place with wonderful memories and new things to discover.

    Reply
  4. Mary S Okocha says:
    October 8, 2024 at 2:07 am

    Thanks for sharing, Jack and Christie. Very loving journey.

    Reply
  5. Ed Summers says:
    October 6, 2024 at 9:19 pm

    Jack, what a great way to honor your grandparents’ and parents’ legacy while memorializing the lasting impact their lives have had on successive generations of your family. “Crossing The Bar” was an inspired choice for inclusion in your remarks. We have enjoyed your postings and Mary is ready to visit Edinburgh. Ed

    Reply
  6. Kim Enns says:
    October 6, 2024 at 9:09 pm

    I was teary eyed when I read your transcript. What a lovely story to share and so wonderful that together as a family yu brought Ann and John to their final resting place. Beautiful photos and a long lasting memory. 🥰🥰

    Reply
  7. Tricia Groothousen says:
    October 6, 2024 at 1:58 pm

    What a fitting farewell-back to your roots.

    Reply
  8. Janet Pearson says:
    October 6, 2024 at 11:10 am

    Wow! What a great tribute to your parents and your heritage. Heartwarming love story❤️

    Reply

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  • Home
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  • Home
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    • Updates from the Edge
      • Carnoustie – Long Journey Home
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      • At Sea… Again!
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      • The Dordogne: Beynac-et-Carzenac & Outdoor Activities
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      • Christmas in Garmisch, Germany
      • Christkindl Markts
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      • Paxos, Greece
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