In 2000, my youngest brother died from brain cancer (glioblastoma). My entire worldview was turned upside down. I no longer had four brothers. How could that be? The loss left a hole in my heart.
At the time of his death my mother made a decision, without consulting the rest of the family, to have my brother cremated and his ashes interred at Calvary Episcopal Church in Asheville, North Carolina.
My objection was that he was not from North Carolina and we were Catholic and I just didn’t think it was what he would have wanted. But he was no longer available to ask. The whole thing felt wrong to me, but that was my mother. I don’t fault her.
Visiting the cemetery this week, I did not expect to find a view of the mountains in the distance and the most beautiful little Gothic-style brick church.
There were pillows and kneeling cushions lovingly hand stitched by parishioners.
We were shown around by a delightful church secretary who opened the church and gave us a history lesson.
All in all, after shedding a few tears, I felt closure for the first time since he died, 25 years ago.
The final surprising piece was that the original homestead where the church now stands was purchased by a Brit named Daniel Blake. My brother’s daughter is named Blake and her partner is Daniel!
DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
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