Life Is Not Forever ~ Love Is
In Celebration of the Lives of
Jason & Andrew Colvard
I wanted to share a story with you…
In October we returned ‘home’ to California where I was born and raised and where my son and grandson, Jason and Andrew, were also born, each of us in the same country hospital in rural Sonoma County. We felt a deep need and longing to gather with our family for a small memorial service to honor our ‘boys’. We had waited until we felt it was ‘safe enough’ to travel with my elderly Mother, and when there was a small window when the virus was less rampant, we flew. We gathered at my Mother’s old family farm on a warm October day to sing praises of Jason and Andrew, share stories, and take comfort with each other. My family had purchased two beautiful Ginkgoes’ that we planted side by side in the field next to my Mom’s home. There they will grow for centuries as Ginkgoes are known to do, growing from the ashes we planted in the soil and holding the memories of Jason and Andrew in their strong limbs and beautiful leaves.
The next morning, we carried their ashes, their stardust, to the old family burial plot in the Sonoma Mountain Cemetery where my Grandparents are buried. I’ve long loved this sacred space, where souls have been put to rest under the old oak forest that grows wild in the volcanic landscape. As we knelt in prayer over Jason and Andrew’s Memorial Stone, my brother placed an olive branch on the headstone. Wondering where the olive branch came from in this old oak forest, my brother pointed above; directly above us was one lone old and gnarled olive tree, a symbol of peace and renewal, growing amidst the oak forest.
That afternoon, returning home, we went out to circle the Ginkgo trees and to sing one final parting song before we all left for our homes again. As we began to sing,
“Fly like an Eagle,
Flying so high,
Circling the Universe
On wings of pure light”
Right above us, two beautiful white shoulder Hawks appeared and began to circle above and around us… singing with us in their high-pitched tones. They circled and sang above us the entire time we were singing, and as we finished the last verse, these two beautiful hawks flew off…. into the star world and the world of spirit beings.
With love and light,
Rosemary
Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death but completeness.
Let love melt into memory and pain into songs.
Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest.
Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night.
Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment,
and say your last words in silence.
I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die…
Jason and Andrew were huge animal lovers and cared passionately for the well-being of animals.
The family had four pit bulls that lived with them and many feral cats that they adopted and cared for. Their four dogs, Beau, Cita, Gremlin, and Buddy, were taken to the Oconee County Animal Control who did an outstanding job of caring for them, and finding loving homes for each of them. They were soon adopted out to loving families. The kitties were fostered out in several homes and were cared for by Campus Cats, a non-profit organization that cares for homeless cats.
In Memory of Jason and Andrew, we invite you to make a donation to the Friends of Oconee County Animal Shelter or to your local animal shelter.
Donations can be made via mail or online. Please include a memo stating:
In memory of Jason and Andrew
Donate via mail:
Local Dog & Cat Shelter
Oconee County Animal Service
1171 Branch Road
Bishop, GA 30621
Campus Cats
P.O. Box 902
Watkinsville, GA 30677
[email protected]
Update: Beau, Buddy, Cita, and Gremlin have all been adopted by wonderful, caring families!
Stories keep the memories alive and bring the departed spirits back to life. If you have a story that you’d like to share about Jason or Andrew, please share it here.
“Thank you for the stories; they are manna to the heart. And thank you for your love and support this past year. We felt it deeply. It was only because of the love and support of family and friends that we were able to bear what was truly unbearable”
There just are no words for this loss. Rosie, I love you and hold you in my heart. I remember first meeting Jason when he was about 2 yrs old. Strawberry hair, big eyes and full of life. When I first met Andrew, he was so alike. They will forever be in our hearts; love is never lost. May loving memories sustain you. God bless you all, and may they Rest In Peace.
Thank you so much for providing this platform for me to communicate to you what Andrew and Jason meant to me. I have been friends with Andrew and Jason for over half my life. During that time Andrew and I were the best of friends. I honestly can’t express into words what his friendship meant to me and what his dad taught me over the years. I know you might not know me very well but Andrew had spoke so fondly of all his family especially about the trips to see his grandma and his mom whenever he would return to Georgia he would quickly contact me to share the stories he experienced that seemed like something out of the movies. He lived such an incredible life. He once told me that he had plans to move to Costa Rica because of how amazing a time he had on a trip there when he got his permaculture certificate. His idea of heaven was Kayaking on the rivers there and growing crops living his life to the fullest. He even found beauty in the venomous snakes that chased him around there or as he called them “danger noodles” because he wouldn’t want it to be too perfect, he wouldn’t find fun in that. I can only imagine that Jason wanted nothing more in this life than for Andrew to find happiness. I remember seeing the joy on Roos face when he was given a homemade fondont cake that I think El made one year for his birthday and the smile on Jason’s face when Roo opened up a Fossil wrist watch that he knew Andrew wanted. I remember Roo’s call to his mom where she asked for a complete play by play of every gift she sent him being opened described to her in full detail. These and so many more special moments that I got to share with him I’ll cherish forever. Thank you so much for sharing your family with me. I loved my little buddy he was like the little brother I never had. I will forever have the memories we shared close to my heart.
Rosemary,
Oh, I am so, so very sorry for your loss. I saw the news tonight and my heart stopped for a moment. I came to Sage Mountain in September of 2013 and Andrew was there during that time. He was a kind, sweet and playful soul.
He showed me how to pop the jewelweed seeds! I didn’t expect the seeds to fly like that and it made me laugh – and he seemed to sense I needed a smile. My heart was heavy during that season.
It is the kindness we see in others that we remember, so often. I know that no words will help, but please know how many people hold you in their hearts during this time. This night, and for many nights, I will light a candle for you, for Andrew, and Jason and send up prayers to ease the journey through this. They are safe and warm in the Light of the Eternal.
With love,
Janet
My deepest Condolences to Rosemary, Robert and Eleonore and to all. Having spent much time with Andrew, we had a beautiful connection; a dear young man who felt very comfortable with me. On one adventure driving back to Sage Mountain together from the IHS, my car broke down on a rural road in the mountains of Vermont. Past midnight, with no cell phone reception, Andrew and I argued who would go knock on a strangers door in the middle of the night, both a little hesitant. We drew straws and Andrew lost! Banging on a rural door in the dark, we laughed so hard about the situation as we ultimately went together to the door. Having to wake Rosemary past midnight on the Sunday night after the IHS, knowing she was thoroughly exhausted, was just as daunting! Andrew and I sat on the hood of the car in the pitch black night, drinking in the mountain air and the stars, waiting for Rosemary to rescue us, which of course she did, although a little sleepy eyed. A memory of a lifetime sweet Andrew. I’ll look into the night sky and see you and your dad in the stars from here on.
My heart is breaking as I take in this sad news. Jason was my first web master, and was for years after he completed web design school. My web page today does not look a lot different than what it was back then. His design was that good. We spent endless time talking about life and the state of the world back then. I have so many fond memories.
My husband, Ken and I did an internship at Sage Mountain in 2001. Jason and Andrew were living there at the time. Jason and Andrew were so close. Jason was a young man and such a good father. I was so impressed.
Andrew was full of energy back then and really had everyone running just to keep up with him!
This is such tragic news. I am greatly feeling this loss in our herbal family and community. So much of who I am and what I have grown to be has come from my life in this community that I hold so dearly in my heart. Rosemary, you have given myself and my family so much support over the years and I am humbled at your capicity to love and share with us all. Even in grief, you are holding space for us where we can greive and pray together as a community.
Ken and I and our family are holding Jason and Andrew in our hearts and prayers and know that we will all meet again in eternity.