Memorial Tree
Posted on November 7th, 2008 by mommy
Carston’s 5th birthday is approaching and we are going to have a tree planted at Turtle park which was one of his favorite places to go and also where his soccer team played. There will also be a bronze memorial marker that reads,
Carston Wayne Kownack
Nov 17, 2003 - Aug 1, 2008
A gift for such a little while, we will always love you.
“Love is like a butterfly; it goes wherever it pleases and pleases wherever it goes”. Author Unknown
19 Responses to “Memorial Tree”
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What a wonderful gift! I know as difficult as it will be, it will be a precious sacred place for you and many others forever.
Love you!
Rachel
What a beautiful tribute for Carston to have a tree planted in his name in his favorite park. Ironically, I ordered a tree for your family on Friday to be planted in Carston’s honor at your home. I will look forward to seeing his special tree when I am in Phoenix. Carston continues to be such a bright ray of sunshine in all of our hearts. xoxo, Cheryl, Mike & Kaitlyn
p.s. I seem to notice butterflies everywhere these days… and each one reminds me of Carston
Dear Amy,
So many thoughts go through my head everyday about you and how you are dealing with missing Carston. I know his spirit lives forever and is always with you. The more I study about angels and the “after life” the more convinced I am that he is, and always will be, watching over you. I know that there are no words that can take away the pain in your heart. I try to appreciate my kids and cherish every moment I have with them. We are all here in this life for such a short time and I have been trying to appreciate every day. I had such a nice visit home to Arizona last month. I am so grateful for the time we got to share together. I admire you for so many reasons and I’m so very grateful for our friendship. Cameron and Conner are also always in my prayers. They are so lucky to have you as their mother. I love you, Amy, and wish I could do more to help take your pain away. Thanks too for the bracelet. I wear it every day. When I went to Sedona and prayed for the answers in my life I saw a praying mantis swaying back and forth, and moving forward. When I prayed for you I saw the most beautiful yellow butterfly. It was so beautiful with the contrast of the red rock. I know it’s hard to understand why Carston had to leave you at such a young age. I’m so very sorry. I will be thinking of you on the 17th and praying for your family.
Peace and Love,
Melinda
Hi Amy,
I was watching ER on Thursday and it was about a mother coming to terms with the loss of her 5 year old son. At one point of the show she said ” When a child looses it’s parents, they are called an orphan, when a person looses their spouse, they are called a widow, but when a person looses a child…well..there is no name for that”…It touched me and I know that you are dealing with pain that in unbearable. I pray for you every day and I will be thinking of you all day on Monday.
With Love,
Melinda
Hi Aim
There is nothing to compare with the loss of a child,
and only those who have known such a tragedy
can truly understand your sorrow.
I know tomorrow is going to be a difficult day for you and your family. I am sending you my love and support; and pray that you find some comfort in the love and concern that surround you from so many who deeply care and love you.
Love you!!!
MJ
PS - I love the idea of planting a tree and think it is a great memorial tribute. xoxo
Amy,
What a wonderful way to honor Carston and pay a tribute his life. I know that today will be an especially difficult day for you and your family to get through. Please know that even though miles separate you from so many friends and family, we think about you every day and love and support you from afar.
-Kristina & Jon
Hi Aim,
Thinking and praying for you and your family. My kids all said special prayers for you and we had a big group hug. I hope you feel all the love and support that is with you today.
Love and Peace,
Melinda
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARSTON!
As always, but even more today, you are in my thoughts, my prayers and my heart. Today should have been a wonderful celebration, and while Carston will always be celebrated, today is not complete without him. He will always be loved and he will always be missed, even moreso on days such as this. Sending all of you an infinite amount of love and prayers of peace. xoxo, Cheryl
Amy,
I think it’s a wonderful idea to plant a tree in a special park. You are always so creative, even in your grief. You have a special talent with that. I’ve been thinking about you a lot today. I pray that it all goes smoothly. I’m so happy that you will be coming to visit soon. Take care.
Love,
Julie
Today more than ever, I am thinking about you and praying for all of you! You are an amazing family and I hope you can all feel the love and support from so many. This day will always be a celebration of his life-Peace to you, Amy. Love you! Rachel
Hi Amy,
I know today must be so difficult. You should be celebrating and having fun with your sweet little guy. You definitely can still celebrate his wonderful life, but his absence is felt so much more on special days like this I’m sure.
I’m thinking of you all day, and praying that you can feel Carston’s sweet spirit in your heart today.
Love you,
Mary
Hi Amy,
Happy Birthday to Carston.
I am sending you a poem that I came across called “Ascension” by Colleen Corah Hitchcock:
And if I go,
while you’re still here…
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
–behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
–both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest.
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
…I will be there.
Love,
Annie
Hi Amy-
Thinking of you and your family on this special day. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you and hope you are doing ok. I think the tree you planted sounds so amazing and I want to visit it when I come to visit you.
Know that you are always in my thoughts and I only hope and pray for you and the boys and Mike and the family that the strength I know in you is helping to keep your faith strong.
There are no words that I know of that can help you through this. But please know how much I love you and your family.
Happy Birthday sweet angel Carston!
All my love,
A
Dear Amy,
Of course, today brings more intense feelings of Carston; as I am sure so many significant days will. I guess it is my nature to be mad today. I would have wanted to send him a card and have Tommy say Happy Birthday to his buddy. My infatuation with his enormous height….I wonder how darn tall he would have been today? Definately A LOT taller than Tommy! This world has a hole, that was once filled by a beautiful gentle giant! Along with being sad and angry, I also feel glad. Glad to have been blessed all those years ago to have met you at ASU. If I had not moved to AZ, I wouldn’t have known and loved Carston and your family. I guess it is better to have known and loved him…….and lost him, than to never have known him at all!!!!! I also feel so lucky that I was able to share my Tommy & Morgan with him too.
I am believer in Heaven and I take comfort in knowing that those that I have lost are enjoying an eternal life of happiness. I KNOW with all my heart that Carston is just fine. He is for sure doing silly things with your Dad and sister and playing with his doggy that he lost.
My heart aches for you today & I wish that this wasn’t your reality. God knows, this will never sit well in our heart and souls; but we are helpless to deal with this loss. I love Carston and I love all of you. I will never forget Carston or stop praying for you. He will forever be in my heart and I am so fortunate and blessed to know and love you as well.
You have always been my “rock” . I am not with you today to hug and support you, but I hope you can feel the love that myself and so many others are sending your way.
Carston lives on in all of us….
I love you!
Cherie
Although the hole in your hearts will never be gone, my hope for you and your family is that with each passing day, you will heal a little bit. Today, as with everyday, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I love you Aim,
Ger
Carston,
You are such a great kid. I love you so much. I miss you so much. It was so nice that we got to meet you. It was a great couple of years that we had together. Our friendship was so great together. We were almost step brothers. I still had a lot of stuff I had on my mind that I still wanted to do with you, But they are not going to happen anymore. I want you to know that I love you so much and I will never forget about you. You are such a great kid and I want you to know that I am thinking of you every minute of the day. I love you so much. Take care of Uncle Pat for me buddy.
Love, Adam
Hi Aim
We were talking about you and your family at dinner last night. Jenna & Kara asked that we plant a tree in our yard this spring to remember Carston (as we did for my mom and my Papa). I love that idea and will send you pictures as the tree grows.
You are always on my mind and I hope you are having a peaceful day. I love you.
xoxo
MJ