After my father passed, Ida gave me a note he had written to me. It left instructions he wanted me to personally execute. My father was a particular perfectionist, so it was bittersweet I would have this honor solely.
The fans, public, lovers, and associates would see his funeral, whenever we share the footage.
My father will have a regular service, then his body cremated. His remains put to rest as "Stan Laurel." People will come from all over the world, leave flowers, blessings, thank you' s at this grave site. A man they loved, admired, laughed at. It will be a shrine of sorts.
I can see why he wanted me to do what I did all those decades ago.
"Dear Lois,
If you are reading this I have passed away. I want you first to know I love you and the grandchildren very much. As you might of guessed or realized long ago, Uncle Babe and I were more than just friends, closer than brothers.
Babe and I made special arrangements to have our hearts taken out, preserved and when the both of us pass, they will be specially cremated together with the notes we wrote to one another, the notes he wrote over a decade ago, then our commitment rings placed within a burial urn. I know this sounds rather drastic, amazing and simply unbelievable, however it was our wish.
The world had Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Our wives and lovers had our bodies, minds and emotions, nonetheless, we always had each others hearts and immortal commitment. Everyone knows when Babe died, apart of me also went. I loved him.
His love is haunting and alive within me, it truly, besides you, the grandchildren and Ida, keeps me going.
The location has been arranged and payed for also. There will be no cost to you what so ever, from transportation to burial of Babe and mine's final eternal union.
Only you, your children and so forth will be the holder of this location. I ask that you keep is private because the both of us lived such public lives in this world. Our grave marker will be flush with the ground and say
"Arthur S. Jefferson-Hardy & Norvell O. Jefferson-Hardy, Beloved partners to one another."
Thank you Lois, and remember everyday that Babe and I loved you very much. Be nice! We are watching you and the grandchildren closely!
Your Loving father and Babe sends his regards in spirit."
There is a place, where the rabble of people in Hollywood pass everyday on their lavish vacations and holidays. It is unassuming, common, yet holds something dear and precious, not only to me, but to the two men that loved me and were in love with one another.
Yes father, I knew.
As long as you were happy, I didn't say anything or care, it was more successful than the other relationships! So be it!
If you go to that island, sense it with your heart. It is hidden between the ocean and the green. Only those that know love will find it.
*Fin. The End. Final*