Davis' Rock. You know how it goes - sometimes you just know it is right when you see it. When I saw this rock in Brigham City laying amongst many other large rocks, I knew it would be perfect for Davis. It was very striking. I fell in love with edge that looks like petrified wood. The shape was perfect for him, rugged and natural.
Last March, we finally felt up to the task of searching for a piece that would fit his personality. We weren't having much luck in town at any of the monument places. We decided to drive down to Brigham City to see what Bott Monument had. It was an interesting visit.
We thought it would be neat to go with the Bott's.
And they had the rock that seemed just perfect!
The next hurdle would be deciding what to put on the headstone. We knew it needed to be simple. We spent months sketching and thinking and searching for ideas. Once we had it somewhat finalized in our mind and on paper, we approached Mike and DJ and started the final plan. Because it is a natural stone we would have to work around the imperfections and that determined some of the letter placement and font style. In the end we went simply with his name, birth and death dates on the front - all offset to the right side. On the back we loved the one line thought, "What will survive of us is love". We had them engrave it with movement to follow the contour of the rock, rather that just a straight line. His love of family, nature, music, sense of adventure and so much about life really does live on in each of us that love him and know him. On the back is also a sweet little heart with the initials of his little daughter. This story is one that is complicated and private, but very tender and sweet. We think that one day that she will understand why we added that for her. She is a very loved child. Her life is certainly a gift to each of us as we see a part of him each time we look at her. We want to respect her mom's privacy as well as hers but love this sweet angel with all of our hearts.
These photos were taken the first time we went to see his rock. The weekend before Thanksgiving. We didn't want to post them before the kids were able to see it in person.
The sandstone carving was done by Mark for Davis' birthday last year. It is his signature from his drivers license. It is endearing to us that he was just simply Davis and that is how he signed his name. Mark will forever be building Cairns for Davis at any opportunity he has.
Maybe this seems like an odd post - but I have been anxious to research out whatever I could about this headstone for our son. I think it is part of the healing for me. And as this blog serves as a family journal, I can remember later on all of these details that would have been forgotten!
So a few more facts :)
Last March, we finally felt up to the task of searching for a piece that would fit his personality. We weren't having much luck in town at any of the monument places. We decided to drive down to Brigham City to see what Bott Monument had. It was an interesting visit.
Here are a few things we learned:
The fire on August 27, 2008, gutted the three-story structure at 327 East 200 North. Built in 1869, it was Box Elder County's first commercial building, milling corn for pioneer settlers.
The fire on August 27, 2008, gutted the three-story structure at 327 East 200 North. Built in 1869, it was Box Elder County's first commercial building, milling corn for pioneer settlers.
The current owner of the site, D.J. Bott, doubts that is appreciated by whoever ran a trail of gasoline across the street and up the side of the building, then lit it.
”Witnesses that night actually saw the stream of fire cross the road and go up the side of the building to start the fire,“ said Bott, whose great-great-grandfather John H. Bott purchased the building from Brigham City colonizer Lorenzo Snow in 1879. Bott's grandfather and great grandfather erected the “This is the Place” monument at the mouth of the canyon in Salt Lake City. His Uncle Nephi made the monument for Old Ephriam. The monstrous grizzly that roamed Northern Utah and Southern Idaho.
We thought it would be neat to go with the Bott's.
And they had the rock that seemed just perfect!
The next hurdle would be deciding what to put on the headstone. We knew it needed to be simple. We spent months sketching and thinking and searching for ideas. Once we had it somewhat finalized in our mind and on paper, we approached Mike and DJ and started the final plan. Because it is a natural stone we would have to work around the imperfections and that determined some of the letter placement and font style. In the end we went simply with his name, birth and death dates on the front - all offset to the right side. On the back we loved the one line thought, "What will survive of us is love". We had them engrave it with movement to follow the contour of the rock, rather that just a straight line. His love of family, nature, music, sense of adventure and so much about life really does live on in each of us that love him and know him. On the back is also a sweet little heart with the initials of his little daughter. This story is one that is complicated and private, but very tender and sweet. We think that one day that she will understand why we added that for her. She is a very loved child. Her life is certainly a gift to each of us as we see a part of him each time we look at her. We want to respect her mom's privacy as well as hers but love this sweet angel with all of our hearts.
These photos were taken the first time we went to see his rock. The weekend before Thanksgiving. We didn't want to post them before the kids were able to see it in person.
The sandstone carving was done by Mark for Davis' birthday last year. It is his signature from his drivers license. It is endearing to us that he was just simply Davis and that is how he signed his name. Mark will forever be building Cairns for Davis at any opportunity he has.
The surrounding views at the Mendon Cemetery are gorgeous.
Maybe this seems like an odd post - but I have been anxious to research out whatever I could about this headstone for our son. I think it is part of the healing for me. And as this blog serves as a family journal, I can remember later on all of these details that would have been forgotten!
So a few more facts :)
The Rock is Quartz.
Quartz is the most abundant and widely distributed mineral found at Earth's surface. It is present and plentiful in all parts of the world. It forms at all temperatures. It is abundant in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. It is highly resistant to both mechanical and chemical weathering. This durability makes it the dominant mineral of mountaintops and the primary constituent of beach, river and desert sand. Quartz is ubiquitous, plentiful and durable. Mineable deposits are found throughout the world.
This type of quartz was used for arrowheads because of its strength.
His rock came from a quarry in Park Valley, Utah. I need to take a road trip there and do some exploring. It is a kind of an "out there in the middle of nowhere" place - all the more intriguing to me!
This is all that remains of the once small Russian Settlement, the graves of two sisters.
Wonder if I could find this cool turquoise quarry!??
I would really like to try!
I guess I had never realized that the Great Salt Lake
extends up so far north on the west side!
Looks like an interestingly barren place to visit.
Let me know if you are game for a road trip!
So on with Winter Solstice and Davis' R O C K
We weren't going to have all of our kids together on Christmas Eve this year, so we went to visit The Rock on the 21st. Winter Solstice. And the weather was very fitting. We were certainly not expecting the howling wind we found!
We decided to fill a basket with pinecones and let the kids
cover them with peanut butter and bird seed.
They chatted happily about how great it was that the birds and
little critters would have a special Christmas treat!
They were troopers and eager to leave something special near Davis.
They each chose an ornament that they thought Davis
would like and added it to the basket.
I think everyone was happy with the way the rock settled in.
It stands out in a good way, among the other gray and
black headstones and is very unique.
We had to collect rocks to anchor the basket.
Looking forward to enjoying the peace here again, once the crazy winds have subsided.
We hope you are pleased, Davis. This rock represents a whole lot of love.
We have heard about all the wild turkeys in Mendon,
but had no idea just how many wild turkeys there
really were until we saw for ourselves that day of Winter Solstice!
What a funny site to see them all running here and there!
Where do they all live??
We have on occasion wondered why we settled on the Mendon Cemetery, but are quickly reminded when we make the drive over and back. It is always so beautiful - not matter the season.
I have never really appreciated the beauty of a snowless winter nor noticed the amazing gold and rusty color of the fields and how beautifully the gray/blue of the mountains and sky set them off.
It is a blessing to have the quiet time on that drive and to be still and think.
The cold, dark days of winter are a natural time for inner reflection and a time to replenish our physical, mental, and spiritual energies. Taking time in winter for quiet reflection and meditation is a gift of love to ourselves that will replenish us for our work in the world.
As this year ends, let each of us take a moment and celebrate all that we have accomplished in our lives up to the present, and especially in the past year. At the same time, let us leave thoughts of failure and regrets behind, with the understanding that it is the times when we struggle that we are stimulated to grow and change. Could it be that the times that have depressed, frustrated, and disappointed us were intended to elevate and enlighten us? We gain strength from those experiences. In emerging from challenging experiences, we feel a sense of renewed faith and hope. All of us are blessed by sharing this life, and by the unique gifts that we bring to one another simply by being ourselves. May we bring this year to a close by remembering to love one another and ourselves, and let us prepare to move forward into the New Year with deeper understanding, compassion, and a loving heart.
2 comments:
Stunning my friend, every photo, every word, every member of this family! Thank you for your post I loved it!
This is a beautiful post, Leisa. Thank you for sharing. I love Davis' headstone it's very fitting for him. It truly was picked with deep thought and love. Love your sweet family and was happy to see all of them this past Christmas season! -Alyssa
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