The Resting Place for Ann's Ashes

Interring Annie's Ashes                                                                                                                 

At 8,500 feet in the Colorado Rockies, at the base of 10,100 foot Castle Peak, is the Elder A frame (to call it a cabin would be to give it too much dignity).  Currently no running water, but a spring outside, and electricity, and a telephone line.  Ponderosa pine and aspen out the front window, no other houses in sight. 

Inside is my life-long friend Dave Mills, who I’ve known since 2nd grade. He has lived there for 6 years as our caretaker, telecommuting via a modem and satellite feed, doing computer language work for Boeing and others.  Quite brilliant in many ways, and surprisingly sane for someone who spends his days with a dog and a cat.  I asked him last Christmas why he chose such a lifestyle, and his response was,  “I like living in a place where I’m surrounded by beauty.”

Kathy Paulin, Karla Tanner and I met David and brother Eric Elder at the A frame on Saturday afternoon, August 8, 2009.  Also in attendance was Ann's faithful dog Cedar.  All but Karla had been at our wedding;  David was an usher, and Eric married Annie and I.  At 6:00 p.m., we met at the edge of the aspen grove, and jointly dug a small hole.  I placed my wedding band, intertwined with Annie’s wedding rings, inside.  Kathy put in Cedar’s dogtags.  Karla put in a photo of one of the kayak trips she took with Ann, with a message written on the back.  We filled up the rest of the urn with rose petals from Karla’s rose bushes.  Then we filled in the hole, and positioned the memorial stone above it (photo attached). 

I prayed over the memorial site, and then we opened the blueberry wine, which Ann and I had bought in Bar Harbor, Maine, on our honeymoon 21 years earlier.  I could only think to say;  “To the most beautiful person I ever met.”  We toasted Ann, and talked a little, and the wine was finished.  The bottle remains, to be used as a flower pot for future visits.

Behind Ann's memorial stone is an aspen grove, with blue spruce, Douglas fir, and white fir growing up underneath.  Before it the ponderosa pine-covered hills drop towards the 4-Mile Creek valley.  Dark, conifer-covered Witcher Mountain rises on the other side.  It is very quiet and peaceful, usually sunny in winter as well as summer, wildflowers and birds abounding.   Having David just about 100 feet away is a comforting aspect.  If anyone would like to visit Ann's memorial stone, please contact me and I'll give you directions and David's phone call.

May God bless all of you, Ann's friends and family.  I will be thinking of you in the months and years to come.  I will keep this site up permanently, so that any of us can review the loving words that we have posted in memory of our dear Annie. You will also be able to add to them, if you wish.  You are always welcome to call me at 435 621 3144, and you are always welcome in my home in Vernal. 

Love,

Tom