Shasta memorial 1

From Lisa to her husband
George...as always please remember my David. Few words are needed because he still knows.....
"We love you to the sky and back....For always 06"

From Brenda to her husband
To my sweet Clyde - you were the world's best friend ever, most incredibly loving husband and an awesome
daddy. I can't believe it's been two years without you. We are thankful that you are whole and healed in heaven ~ we
miss you more than words can ever say ~ you touched our lives so deeply ~ look forward to the day we can
be together again. You'd be so proud of Justin - he's becoming a wonderful young man - like you in so many
ways. I think you'd be proud of me too as I move forward in life. We want our lives to honor you ~ in all that we do.
You will ALWAYS be deeply missed and ALWAYS be deeply loved. You will FOREVER be in our hearts.
Please watch over us till we meet again.

From Barbara to her son
George, would you please add John Brownlee's name, to your memorial service. His birthday would have
been 4/25 but he received his wings 7/29/07. We will be there with you in spirit, I'm certain it will be a very special time. Thanks.

From Kitty to her son
Kent, you are remembered by your mom and family forever and ever. Please look out for them and
Skyler and Summer and all those who are yet to come and to follow. Love, mom.

From Bryan to his daughter
Bryan remembers his daughter Ashley with all his love. He has sent a second feather to be placed in the lake in
her memory and a gift to me has found my heart’s deepest repose.

The feather: The last weekend in March Renee and I went for a hike in nearby woodlands. It was a sunny and brisk day,
perfect for hiking. We came across a partial wing that was from either an adult owl or hawk. The southern NY woodlands are
inhabited by many birds of prey. I prefer to think of it as an adult owl. I gathered the feathers to add to my collection of
totems. What was the message of this sign Renee and I were gifted with?

Many years ago you had rested a feather on the lake, the feather of a fledging owl who would never know adulthood.
A feather from a fledging owl that's message enlightened me. This year I would be honored if you would place this feather
on the lake. This feather represents the passage of time, the balance that we, the grieving, are in search of. Time doesn't
make it easier but it does make the grief different with many stages. My prayer is that our loved ones help us to travel
through the grief, gain insight into our own grief and give us safe passage. So many are lost in grief.

My gift to you is three feathers from my collection of totems. The feather in the center belonged to the fledging owl
and represents nature that is without judgment.

The story of the upper feather: In the spring of 2002 I was on a business trip to Tucson . My room was at ground
level looking out over the dessert landscape. Running about on the other side of the sliding glass doors was a family of
quail. I reminisced about my daughter Kelly as a toddler. Kelly did not like to get dressed in the morning. We found that
if we played Bambi she would become engrossed in the video making it easier to dress her. When I saw the quails I thought
to myself of nice sunny day's, one of the lines from the video. My mind was flooded with fond memories of Kelly's early years.

The following morning I was up early to watch the sun rise over the desert. As I stepped out on the patio I saw the wing
of one of the quails. I looked up into the reddish dawn and thought I already got the message “nature, no friends
but more importantly, no enemies." That was a message from the owlet wasn't it? Then the doubt set in.
Did I misinterpret the message? Shortly thereafter you had posted that you were being challenged by Nature.
Shortly thereafter Fran posted that her marriage was dissipating. Two people that I felt that I shared a commonality with.
A bond that formed from a common connection we derived through our daughters and the natural world. Nature
connecting us with our departed children. I dwelled on the original interpretation for quite some time.
The unfairness of the path that both you and Fran had to travel.

I came to the realization that I didn’t misinterpret, I needed a reminder - nature, no friends but more importantly,
no enemies. I guess that the difference between rationalizing something and actually believing it needed reinforcement.

Here we are 6 years later, you had met that challenge. George, more challenges, you were blessed with Grandchildren, Stacie
and Hope, beautiful children. That was no walk in the park for you. You and your family were challenged through that blessed event.

This brings me to the third feather, that of a Blue Jay. Blue Jay's are tenacious birds that never seem to give up
no matter the odds. They are like you George, meeting the challenges that are presented head on with a determination.
George, you meet challenge after challenge and yet you are able to have such an in-depth concern for the people
around you. You help so many and I thank you for that.

Bryan: You honor Ashley, Stacia, myself and all of us by your incredible gift. I hardly know what to say
except thank you a million times. Your gift of the three feather totem is so precious to me. It has
found its home alongside my favorite picture of our Stacia.

From Jan to her son
Please remember Dan Steven. If you have time, read these lyrics, which are the first part of a song he wrote.
Somehow, it seems like it will fit Shasta. Thanks, friend.

Love of a thousand tongues

Take place behind my eyes
Love of the chosen ones
Take your place, Arise

Mountain of the holy winds
Know me now, beside you
Summer of the freedom
Sing of your eyes
Beside truth

I am alive
I am alive
I am alive inside of you ...

From Laura to her husband
If you could please add his name, Waiman Ng (pronounced ing) to your List for the Shasta Memorial, I would be
so grateful and touched. I met him in 1981 when I was 18, knew him my whole life. This June we would have
been married 20 years. He was the father of Rowan (11), Nathan (9), Elizabeth (6) and Peter (4). He was only 44
when he died and I am so lonely for him.

From Arlene to her son
Hi George - as always, it would be an honor if you would remember my beautiful boy, my joy, my heart, my light.........
Daniel Burnis Fowler.

My oldest daughter just left today.  She has been here since Thursday from Kentucky to be here for her baby 
sister's baby shower. It was such a joyful event and filled with so much love. My children always include their brother in
 every celebration and holiday that we have.  Before my daughter started opening her gifts, she said a prayer and included 
Daniel and his precious memory.  One of her gifts from me was the blanket I had made him when he was a baby and a 
poem that I wrote.  She is having Evan Daniel in 6 weeks and we also have our dear little Joshua Daniel,
 my son's adopted boy who will be two in May.
   
When you say your prayer of remembrance, pray for these new lives, these blessings from God, these healers 
of our families broken  hearts.I know Daniel is watching over them and in God's miraculous way,
      I know all of our loved ones who are included in your prayers are part of the band of angels that will continue to protect
 and guide these little ones, also.

Thank you for your continued love and support of us, even through your own pain and sorrow.
You and your dear Linda are always in my heart and always in my prayers.

God Bless – Arlene m/o Daniel "Our Little Light"

From Maria to her son
I would be most appreciative if you would include my son's name again in your tribute to our brave heroes.

Rick Tucci
Always remembered in our hearts. Your loving family,
Mom, Jeff, and your incredible little boy, Sebastian

From Marcia to her husband
Dear David, I miss you so damn much. I will love you forever. I need a sign that you are in Heaven.