San Francisco, CA

I was going to the 2009 National Junior Classical League convention at UC Davis and our Indiana delegation was touring San Francisco on the way. I knew I wanted to scatter Andy's ashes in the bay, but I had a hard time deciding where. I looked at multiple places - Pier 39 (near the sea lions), at Alcatraz or on the ferry there, and several other places.

After looking all over for two days, I ended up back at the first place that I had seriously considered. At Pier 45 Shed A, there is a museum of antique coin operated arcade machines with everything from fortune telling machines from amusement parks (like the one in Big) to miniature scenes made of toothpicks to classic video games. Behind the museum is a World War II submarine (USS Pampanito) and Liberty ship (SS Jeremiah O'Brien)- some of the scenes from Titanic were filmed using this ship and some of the audio effects came from it as well. Alcatraz can be seen in the middle of the bay and is a backdrop in the picture of the scattering of his ashes.

A fellow Latin teacher took the pictures and I said a little prayer after the scattering. I didn't know it would be so hard to pick a place that I considered to be "perfect" for him - and then to walk away afterward. I'm lucky to have good friends who are so very supportive and offered the help and hug that I needed. I thought it was appropriate for me to finally take him to a big JCL/Latin event and I just liked all of the elements that came together in one place and at one time. The scattering took place on 7/26/09 at a little after one in the afternoon. Requiescat in pace.

Jill's Hike Up Peralta Trail

Superstition Mountain –May 23, 2009
(Written by Jill Ziegler and posted at her request)












So far the hardest thing I have had to do physically is hike up this mountain. I have never hiked a day in my life. Thus why climbing up this thing was incredibly difficult for me. Aside from the incredible tired that came, heat and thirst, it was beautiful and the company wasn’t bad either.
On the way up, terri and I talked about many things. We discussed Andrew and I, why it took seven years for us to get together, and our mutual devastation. Upon reaching the top, I wanted nothing more than a nap. I was exhausted but we still had to go back down. We sat and rested. Talking about the last year and how we got through it.
We scoped out a good place to scatter the ashes and climbed up it. We stood side-by-side, teetering on these boulders. My hands were shaking as I pried the lid off the jar. I had never done this before either. We stood there not saying a word as I flung the ashes out over the mountainside. Terri and I turned to each other and just hugged and cried.
On the way down, I knew Andrew would be proud of me for stepping outside my comfort zone and doing this with his sister. As hard as it was for me to get to the top, I knew I had to. I couldn’t just drop the ashes anywhere else. It was amazing and an experience I would not trade for anything.

May 30th, 2009...NIN Show

Here's a couple of pics and a video from the Nine Inch Nails / Jane's Addiction show that
we "took" Monkeyboy to on May 30th.
Street Sweeper Social Club (Tom Morleo from "Rage Against The Machine") opened up and it just so happened to be his birthday!... with NIN in the middle and Jane's Addiction closing the show.
by the way...
If you haven't tried "Fat Tire Amber Ale"...you need to. Fine brew if I do say so myself (but my homebrew is better!)

Uncle Joe...

5-30-2009...THE PARTY AND THE SHOW

This was a tough day as well as one of the best days...

The party at Barb's was awesome! Her and Jack did his memory right! Lot's of friends and family and good times...all in memory of Andrew.

SO...the party was fun, but the NINE INCH NAILS show was off the hook! I have been to probably 200 or more concerts in my lifetime and this was one of the best rock shows I have been to in years.

I took some ashes with me and prayed that I could get through security with a "baggie" rolled up in my pocket. To be honest, it sort of looked like heroin or some other exotic powdered drug! Anway...no problems there. I went to the show with one of my best friends, Randy Quinette. About halfway through the NIN set, we left our seats to go to the lawn and put Andew out with the crowd. We found a nice spot with a bunch of 20 something type rockers all having a good time smoking and drinking etc...and felt this was where he would have been? All hell was breaking loose in the sky, tornado warning, a deep dark greenish/black wall of clouds and more lightening than I've ever sceen. I can't remember the song that was going on, but it was just as angry and violent as the surrounding skys and out he went onto the grass...

We did the "homey salute" by pouring out some very good beer (Fat Tire Amber) and gave the honoray "Old Stoner Farewell" in Andrew's honor.

Due to the vast quantities of very high octane beer consumed that night, I am still having trouble focusing like a normal human being today. All is all...once of the coolest and most memorable days in my life occurred on May 30th 2009!

I love you Monkeyboy and I still miss you...but I know where you are and I felt your spirit and presence with me this weekend.

All my Love...Uncle Joe

MAY 30

As posted on the blog...Barb will be having a memorial party for MonkeyBoy on May 30th.

We all know how much Andy was into Nine Inch Nails right? Well, several weeks ago I heard that NIN was coming to Indy with Jane's Addiction...so of course I bought tickets. I didn't realize until a few weeks ago when the show was...It's on May 3oth! Go figure...Karma, chance, fate...whatever. I'll be rocking out at the show and taking some ashes with me as he will surely be there sitting with me and Randy!

Updates

-- Andy's ashes have been spread in a few places around Europe by his step-sister.

--There is going to be a memorial party on Saturday, May 30th at Andy's mom's house. Comment if you'd like to come.

--Friends and family are planning on taking Andrew's ashes to London, Chicago, Hawaii, and more.



We are still looking for people to spread his ashes around the world. If you think you could help, let us know. If you can't, we'd love for you to contribute photos, memories, or videos of Andrew.

A Birthday Card

I saw this quote on a birthday card a few weeks ago, and I bought it, though I have no address to send it to.

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

The inside reads:
To my favorite adventurer. Happy Birthday.

Slide Rock State Park in Sedona, AZ

Who was there: Andy's mom, step-dad (Jack), Brandon, and me
When we went there: March 2nd, 2009. It was about mid-afternoon on a day that couldn't have been prettier.
Where we were: the swimming hole at Slide Rock State Park
Why we chose there: My parents came to visit me in Arizona, so we took a day trip to Sedona. We stopped in the park on a whim, but it was the prettiest place that we visited during the whole day. Mom chose the specific spot. It was sunny and beautiful just where the creek met the rock to form a slide. I will probably go back there in the summer to go swimming.
What we did: Mom scattered the ashes, with Brandon filming. We didn't say anything.



I'm glad we had the chance to scatter his ashes as a family, especially since we were able to do it in such a lovely location that I'm sure he would have loved to visit.

Andy's Birthday - March 14, 1985

You were my son, my only son.
You were so special to me.
I know it’s your birthday,
but in my heart, you’ll always be
23.

You were going to travel the world.
You were going to marry a girl.
You had so much ahead of you
That is why I’m so blue.

You were my son, my only son.
You were so special to me.
I know it’s your birthday
but in my heart, you’ll always be
23.

You had so many friends that loved you,
as much as I do.
They had so many nice things to say about you.
Oh, my Andy.
Your friends may grow up and get older,
but you will always be
23.

I miss you more than you’ll ever know.
You will always be a part of me.
I may grow older and time will move on.
But you will always be
23.

You were my son, my only son.
You were so special to me.
I know it’s your birthday,
but in my heart, you’ll always be
23.

Rosemary Beach!

Who was there: Shane DeWeese, Justin Gause, Ryan Crenshaw

Where: Rosemary Beach, Florida

When: Shortly after Sunset

I received a call that Justin and Shane were going to be not far (25 miles) away while they were on vacation down in Florida. I decided to go out and pay a visit. After a day of catching up and hanging out we went down to the beach shortly after sunset and spread the ashes along the water's edge. Nothing was said, just a quiet few minutes staring out into the starry skies over the Gulf Coast.

It was very peaceful, if a little cold, but all in all, it was very comforting to know we helped Drew go about his travels.

ENOUGH

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Longboat Key, Florida

My friend, Robyn and I took a short weekend trip to Madeira Beach, Florida and stayed with my friend, J. Daniel. We took a road trip down to Longboat Key, which is an island near Sarasota. It was a beautiful sunny day (Sunday, November 9, 2008). We walked down to the end of the island where there are these huge trees that are lying on the beach and have been there for years. When the kids were little, we took them there and had so much fun taking pictures by the trees. We walked around looking at the trees and I picked the perfect spot. We didn't have any ceremony, I just slowly poured his ashes out in the Gulf of Mexico and sent him on his journey. It was hard to do, but did give me a little peace.

Thoughts from another blog.

I wrote some thoughts down in my travel blog about Drew and his love of adventure. They are posted here.