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I Confess
I have broken the law. Ironic, isn’t it – for someone who so righteously writes about issues of crime and justice? Here’s the deal. When my Dad died Mom and I made that awful, painful trip to the funeral home to make final arrangements. We knew pretty much what we were going to do because Mom and Dad had both been adamant about drawing up
Living Wills and writing down exactly what they wanted. (An activity I highly
recommend for the peace of mind of those you leave behind.) Among the ‘do not resuscitate’ declaration and the property disbursement directions was the request for
cremation. So, order given, Mom’s next decision was how she want the ashes stored.
There was an option for a lovely ceramic urn, a sturdy little oak box or, if desired, a container made of biodegradable
material that would float, for a time and then release its contents from the bottom as it slowly disintegrated into any desired
body of water. That was it! Dad had been in the Navy, an avid fisherman, the owner of
a boat so the biodegradable container was the obvious choice. We chose the one
that looked a bit like an oversized dinner plate with matching lid with a ship motif on the top. Dad’s long expressed wish had been that his ashes be scattered at his favorite area of Some time passed and Mom died too. Suddenly I had the ashes of both my
beloved parents to take care of. Mom’s remains were easier to deal with as she wanted to be in a private place that I’m not prepared to
disclose. But Dad’s remains … well, that was another matter. We had to wait for the snow melt to give us the optimum opportunity at our appointed destination. And then there was the matter of whether it was even legal for us to release our Paper Mache contraption
into a state controlled waterway. Being the researcher/reporter I am I knew I should make some inquiries. I
knew I should check the law. But I figured ignorance of the law might be considered some sort of defense (wouldn’t it?)
and, besides, this was my dear father’s final wish. How could I not do what he made me promise I’d do? So, with my daughter, Jenna, and my husband, Michael, in tow we drove northward from My nagging suspicion that what we were about to do was not lawful continued. I
worried that if some state officer happened by we would be in trouble. So, in
a clandestine pattern we traversed the lake, unwilling to hire a boat to take us out lest there be a witness to our crime. We zigged, we zagged, avoiding people as we saw them. To make an hours long journey
short we finally found the perfect place. My daughter and I gently rocked the precious biodegradable package back and forth to heave it out into the stream of
water that would swallow up my father’s remains. I don’t want to give any details about exactly where we accomplished this lest there be some sort of unlikely
effort to undo what we did. But, when it was over and we had watched Dad’s
temporary final resting apparatus literally melt and disappear under the water I knew we’d done the right thing. The law be damned. In the weeks that have passed I’ve wondered if scattering Dad’s ashes the way we did really was illegal. Finally, I relented and contacted a top Navajo Lake Park Official to ask. “ Gulp. So my suspicions were correct. But why would such a profoundly soothing
act be prohibited at a lake that spreads across 21 thousand acres of land? I
was referred to Section 423.28 of the B.O.R.’s public conduct rule. “…Such an allowance could result in Reclamation becoming responsible for long-term management of burial
sites, a practice inconsistent with reclamation’s mission.” Well, so be it. I had been on a mission of my own. My Dad is where he wanted to be for all eternity. Mission
accomplished. -30- Dee B. of New Mexico writes ... Your article speaks poorly of your father. He would be proud of you for breaking the law to satisfy your and his desire? And, you, you are some role model for your children. You just taught them that the law doesn't matter when it gets in the way of what one wants to do. Try to remember that when they start taking drugs and breaking into peoples' homes to steal loot to fence to pay for their habit. The law? What's the law got to do with what they want. You won't be able to blame them, because their value system will be what they learned from you. They'll be able to remind you of when "you were on a mission of your own." Your "nagging sususpicion" that you were doing something illegal should have stopped you in your tracks.
You knew you were doing something illegal, and yet it didn't matter. Only what you wanted to do mattered--same attitude
as all the criminals you write about.
Madam, we are suppose to be a nation of laws, living by those laws for the good of society and the Nation.
But you just laugh it off with a "gulp" and a "so be it" when you knowingly break the law. How many more instances of
lawbreaking have you participated in? Such arrogance, such self-centeredness. You are a disgrace to your profession
and to the community.
The Reverend Jim H in Alabama writes ... To heck with a law of this sort ... The only institution this law protects is the government which is already obese on selfishness. If you had spoken to me about this most private and sacred issue in your life I would have counseled you to follow the very heart beat that your dad and mother gave you. Our constitution provides for the welfare and protection of human life. But we also as human beings are called to the high obligation of preserving and protecting the sanctity of our passing this life to the life hereafter. You go girl in your ambitions to fulfill your father's desires.
Jeff from North Dakota writes ... I wouldn't worry about getting in trouble...they need the evidence to convict you! Besides, there is also a law in place that protects you from getting yourself in trouble. Just because someone SAYS they did something, doesn't make them a convict! The law has to prove it and there is no evidence now!
Eddie J from Florida writes ... I wonder how many Forest Rangers, Campers, and
other officials have gone unnoticed placing what ever onto and into the lake and reported it. What a shame if any one
gives your notable deed a second thought. Good for you my friend.
The first thing any worthwhile criminal defense attorney advises her client-defendant is to clam up and
claim her 5th Amendment right to remain silent. You know that, and you also know that what you say will be used against
you whether in court or otherwise.
Your confession to the violation of this federal CFR exposes you to possible penalties of a fine and up
to 6 months in the slam. While it makes for cutesy journalism, the feds may not share your sense of humor, civil disobedience
or compassionate rebellion. I have certainly seen lesser regs prosecuted.
I admire your motives and your obvious expression of love, but you remind me of my wife's notable observation:
"I know I have the right to remain silent, it's the ability I lack."
If they come for you I will send you cigarettes.
Joseph S. from New Mexico writes: Today's article only proves you are an honorable and worthy daughter. Keep up the good work. Your Dad is smiling on you. Bob F. from New Mexico writes ... The next time
I’m in the
Can you imagine the headline?
"REPORTER URNS THREE DAYS BEHIND BARS FOR ASHES DISPOSAL" ! Lovely
story; well told...
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