A Dedication – Evelyn’s Tree

Yesterday we dedicated Evelyn’s tree

Today we are here in this beautiful park, near this beautiful lake to remember and celebrate the life of a beautiful young woman. Twenty years ago today, Evelyn came kicking and screaming into this world and over her short life, grew to be an independent, fearless personification of generosity and kindness.

Evelyn bears the name of her grandmother, Bonnie Jean Courtney, who was there when Evelyn arrived. Evelyn also bears the name of her other grandmother, Evelia Rojas, who is here today at the end of Evelyn’s life.

Evelyn was always exploring her spirituality. Her latest expedition was into Buddhism. Evelyn believed in God or a higher power, but always wanted to know more. She was accepting of other’s beliefs and lifestyles and she held the same live and let live attitude that helps me get through life.

In times like this, many of us question our belief system and ask the question that no living person has the answer too:  What happens when we die? Some think we go to heaven or hell, some think that we just cease to exist. I like to think that life follows certain laws and like Scotty says,” I canna break the laws of physics captain”. The law of the conservation of energy says that energy is neither created nor destroyed, but that it just changes form.

So here we are, all of us surrounding this tree filled with Evelyn’s energy, transferring our heat and our love to it, through its leaves, to the branches, through the trunk, and into the roots.

This tree stands as a monument to Evelyn as an example of her generosity and kindness. This tree is here because of the generosity and kindness of others. It is because of those people that we have a place to come, sit and reflect, read or have a picnic, in this beautiful park on the bank of this beautiful lake. It is with a great bittersweet joy that I dedicate this tree to Evelyn Jean Courtney. Enjoy your view.

Our family would like to thank all of those people who helped make this tree happen. I don’t know the names of all who contributed, but specifically, I’d like to recognize our friend Sue Heim and Evelyn’s friend Renee and her coworkers from Steinmart without whom this would not have been possible. I’d also like to thank the City of Poway, Parks and Recreation Department and Bob Hahn for helping us plant the tree.