By: Sydnie Showmaker
It's hard to believe that by basically day 2 of this trip so many incredible moments and experiences have already taken place. Our first day we wee overwhelmed by emotion as we were so warmly welcomed to the Center. The mass in memory of Amber was perfect. It was hard not to break down in tears as I stood there in the midst of grief and sadness of people who I love. It was emotional to see strangers from all different lives and cultures, come together, and grieve along with them. I felt in the moment...but at the same time I felt like I as a fly on the wall...noticing everyone in the room reactions. Luz, Flor, Juan, Daniel, & Sophie joined us in mass. This was the first time I had seen them all together in person and their smiling faces and sweet hugs made me even more excited for this week.
Today we went to the Laguna Cuicocha and took a boat ride around the isolated islands. It was a once in a a lifetime experience along with this whole trip. Sarah released John's ashes into the crystal blue water and we all took a moment.
I didn't get the chance to know Amber or John but I am so grateful that I get to be apart of this special tribute to them. I love the people that loved them so much.
Here's to the next 5 days of rewarding work!
A Tribute to John Nature Smith
by: Sarah Ruth Honza
As we waited in line and then went out on the boat to spread John's ashes, so many things were going through my head. I thought about how John was like another brother to me back in high school, all the advice and the fun times going to the movies, watching hockey, collecting patches, getting excited about art projects, boy scout and youth group outings, and, of'course, going to concerts. I thought about how after school, we both moved and didn't see each other much, but then reconnected several times in the last few months before he passed. It was as if no time had passed, he was back to being my big brother again. We talked about Iceland and photography, and this crazy dream I had to do a trip in memory of Amber after all these years. John was so supportive, as he had always been in my life. John had that "nature" about him, an ability to connect with people that we should all strive to imitate. I thought about how my brother, Paul, described it so well at John's funeral, how much John was there for all of us when Amber passed. He shared in our grief and love for a personality bigger than life. I thought about how at the time of John's passing there weren't a ton of people that knew about the trip yet but I was so happy that he was one of them. Grateful to John's family for allowing this moment...It felt so perfect for him to make the journey with us. All of these things were running through my head, but I said very little. I know that John and Amber knew my thoughts at the moment and were there with us.
Wanting it to be perfect, I was overthinking exactly when/where in the lake to spread the ashes, but just then the boat motor had a slight issue, they had to turn it off for a moment, giving us the perfect amount of time to spread the ashes and have a moment of silence in John's memory.
After we returned, we took a few photos overlooking the beautiful volcanic lake. At that moment, there was nothing left to do but smile, another piece of John was returned to nature.
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