Sandy Clark's Ashes

After Sandy had a serious stroke in 1999, the Neurosurgeon and Neurologists told us that there was always a chance of a second stroke and the possibility of seizures. We knew that life was fragile and there was no guarantee that tomorrow would come. I am very thankful that Sandy had almost nine years of life after the stroke and found enjoyment in many new activities and pastimes. God was good to us! There were a few times when we spoke of the possibility of her life on this earth ending and she told me some of the things that she wanted to happen when and if that time came. She did not want a funeral, but a memorial service would be OK. She wanted to be cremated and part of her ashes sprinkled into the Saint Joseph River, near where she lived as a child, in Niles, Michigan. The other part of her ashes, she wanted to be sprinkled in Castlewood Canyon State Park, located South of Parker, Colorado. Sandy enjoyed visiting Castlewood Canyon Park and spoke of it as being such a quiet, peaceful place. Three of our children live in Colorado and we visited there quite often.

Sandy passed away about 3:00 PM, Friday, February 8, 2008.  Linda, one of my Catholic friends, told me that 3:00 PM on Friday is thought of as "the hour of mercy" because that is the time that Jesus Christ died on the cross. We had a Memorial Service for Sandy on Friday, March 7, 2008 at Michiana Christian Embassy, in Niles, Michigan. All eight of the children were present at the Memorial Service, some from Arizona, Colorado, Texas and Michigan. We sprinkled about half of Sandy's ashes into the Saint Joseph River, near Riverfront Park, on Monday, March 10, 2008 and we sprinkled the other half of her ashes into Castlewood Canyon, in Colorado, on Sunday, April 20, 2008.

   LOOKING DOWNSTREAM along Cherry Creek
           This view in Castlewood Canyon is from the Canyon Overlook and shows Cherry Creek as it meanders through the canyon, flowing North toward Franktown, Parker and Denver. Denver is about 35 miles further downstream. This picture was taken Sunday, April 20, 2008.

   LOOKING DOWN FROM THE OVERLOOK in winter
           This view is looking down into the area where Sandy's ashes were sprinkled. Cherry Creek is flowing slowly from right to left. This picture was taken Monday, December 28, 2009, while I was visiting the area.


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