Bringing Hershey Home 8/27/17

When my dear friend Frankie Thill lost her beloved chocolate lab Hershey in January, 2016, her plan was to bring Hershey’s ashes back to Mackinac that summer and sprinkle them in some of the favorite places they would visit together.  Because of some issues with her knees and some breathing difficulties, Frankie hadn’t been able to get back up here.  But yesterday . . . . Princess Hershey came home.

Hershey’s entourage – Frankie, her son David and granddaughter Emily, and friends Judy and Sue.  Because of Frankie’s knee issues, we decided the best way to get to all the places we needed to go would be by carriage.  Frankie directed our path, and David took care of most of the sprinkling.

Frankie’s husband Darryl is buried on Mackinac, and we stopped to sprinkle ashes on his gravestone. Frankie and Hershey visited this site frequently. We had to push aside beautiful blooming wild flowers that surrounded the marker, and we left knowing Hershey’s ashes would be added to the soil for the nourishment of next summer’s flowers.

Probably their favorite walk was down to Mission Point. They loved to sit on the steps of the gazebo and enjoy the flower gardens. David sprinkled ashes along all the flower beds, and even though they were setting up for a wedding, I clandestinely sprinkled some around the inside of the gazebo and on the steps.

Our final stop was at the bench across from Bistro on the Green, where Frankie and Hershey would people watch, and Hershey would meet and greet anyone who wanted to pet her – which was everyone!

Hershey’s bench – and her ashes coming back home.

As David was sprinkling ashes along the roadway a tourist stopped and watched him for a few seconds.  Then she said, “What is that you’re doing?  Are those grass seeds you’re planting?”

A fanciful scene entered my mind at that moment. I envisioned walking along this same pathway next summer, looking over in the grass and seeing Hershey Kisses sprinkled in with the luscious green grass. Silly, I know.  But I think I’ll walk down there next summer anyway – just to check it out.

One of my favorite photos of Hershey. She and Bear were intently watching Ted eat a sandwich – just knowing he had to drop at least one crumb.  I love to think about the two of them together, waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.

Rest in peace, sweet girl. You’re home.