Stephanie's Journey to Alabama

Just like everyone else who has helped us on our mission to give Andrew the voyage that he never got to take, Andy's friend Stephanie took a container of ashes with the promise that she'd scatter them somewhere around the world. What sets Stephanie's journey apart is her perseverance - after plans for trips to Myrtle Beach, New Orleans, and Galveston fell through, she kept making plans to fulfill her promise.  Finally, she was able to take his ashes down to Chahea Mountains State Park in Alabama this fall.

 Thank you, Stephanie, for keeping his memory alive. :)

Another memorial page from another Terri

A close family friend (who also happens to be my namesake) has been keeping a group of memorial pages for Andrew on her MSNTV account.  She's recently updated all of her main sections with new remembrances, thoughts, and pictures.  It's a wonderful tribute to Andrew.  

http://community-2.webtv.net/terrid2006/AndrewEricRettig/
Please stop by and take in comment, poems, and song lyrics that friends and family have sent in to remember Andrew. (You can access different pages by scrolling to the bottom and clicking on "next page" or by following the links at the end of each section).  If you have a memory that you'd like to share on her site, you can comment here and I'll put you in touch.

I have lots of updates myself to make, but they'll have to wait for a time when life isn't quite so hectic.  Until then, here are a few pictures that my mom found on her phone from our trip to Hawaii back in 2007.

Motorcycle Memorial

Andrew's name is on one of the bricks from the Abate Motorcycle Memorial in Lawrence, Indiana.  Barb Davis sent me the photos from her visit.

You can read more about the memorial here:
http://abateofindiana.org/programs/mc_memorial.html

 

I think that this is an amazing idea and a wonderful tribute.  I look forward to visiting it the next time that I am in Indiana.

Remembering

Last Sunday marked the two-year anniversary of Andrew's passing.  Andrew's family chose to mark this time simply this year, with a trip to Roosevelt Lake in Arizona to spend some quality time together and to spread his ashes.  Pictures and an update will be forthcoming.

Other updates that I'll be making soon -

* I scattered Andrew's ashes in Los Algodones, Mexico on a day trip a few months back.  The photos are on my phone, so I'll need to figure out how to get them off of there and onto the blog.

* Drew's good friend Toni took his ashes with her to India.  I can't wait to hear about her journey.

* Ashes might be going to Austria, but I'll have to update that trip once my sister returns from Europe.

If you know of anyone who has spread Andrew's ashes and not had the chance to get on this blog, please let me know so I can contact them personally.  Either leave a comment here, email me, or find me on Facebook.

Douglas Lake, Michigan

Collie Ward took Andrew's Ashes to one of his favorite places in the world: Douglas Lake.

Andrew spent a portion of very nearly every summer up on the lake and always made sure to reconnect with a couple of good friends.  Collie was one of those people that he looked forward to seeing each year.  It's fitting that she had the opportunity to spread his ashes at the Fishtail.

Andrew's stepsister Cylee scattering ashes in Poland

Cylee Russell took Andrew's ashes with her on a trip around Europe in October. Andrew's mom sent me these photos to upload to the blog.
I am not entirely sure where this is in Poland. Once I find out, I will update this entry and the map with a more precise location.
She chose a lovely location, however.

Resolution for 2010 - Be Less Lazy.

I hate to admit it, but I've been kind of avoiding updating this blog. Have you ever had a task that you put off so long that finally starting it felt embarrassing? That's how this blog got for me. To break the ice and get back in the habit of posting, I am copying a poem that Andy's friend Dan wrote and then read at the funeral. (Tip of the hat to Terri D's site for posting it first: http://community-2.webtv.net/terrid2006/SubmissionsFrom/page2.html)