Nope. There would be no funereal memorial brick for Jon.
The idea crossed my mind not long after Jon died, when a flyer arrived in the mail. Did I want to help pave the new plaza planned for our neighborhood shopping village? I could do that by purchasing a memorial paving brick and have it engraved — any way I wanted.
My first thought was to order a paver with Jon’s name and dates on it.
Jonathan Newhall
March 18, 1941 – February 19, 2021
But that felt like a terrible idea.
I pictured Jon, all by himself on the new plaza, with nothing but his dates to keep him company. People would walk by him — over him — and have no idea who he was or whether anybody loved him.
So, no. There would be no funereal memorial brick for Jon on that plaza.
But this plaza thing was a great idea for our village, and I wanted to participate. The personalized brick pavers would be laid in the sidewalk in the middle of town, in front of the frozen yogurt shop.
Jon and I used to take the kids to that shop. Drips of frozen yogurt often found their way onto that sidewalk.
Yes, I wanted to get a memorial brick with Jon’s name on it. But I wanted his name to be surrounded by the names of the people who loved him back in the frozen yogurt days, and love him still.
And so, as of this summer, there is a memorial brick on the sidewalk outside the yogurt shop. It reads:
The Newhall
Family
Jon, Barbara
Peter, Christina
Jon was not alone in his life. We were a family of four in the frozen yogurt days. And we are a family of four still.
Note: this is a NOISY video. The new plaza was dedicated with much fanfare last month, and I stopped by to check it out. Lots of local residents and vendors chipped in to pave the sidewalk in front of the frozen yogurt shop with memorial bricks.
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Where are those frozen-yogurt-eating kids now? On their own and out in the world!
Geographic Mobility in America — Watching My Grown-Up Kids Disappear
Emily Newhall says
I love this, Barbara! Seems like the perfect way to phrase it. Love the cat, too. I’m excited to see it next time I visit.
Barbara Falconer Newhall says
Come soon! You’ll also want to visit the pollinator garden.
Lynn Cloonan Olson says
Always thinking Barbara! Jon would certainly have approved!!!
Barbara Falconer Newhall says
Yes. I think he’d like the spot right by the yogurt place, for all to see.
John Dickinson says
You are still a very close family
Barbara Falconer Newhall says
Johnny. Yes. I still see us as “the four of us.”
Diane+Erwin+Sundholm says
I love that idea. Totally agree. Jon should not enjoy the yogurt drips alone.
Barbara Falconer Newhall says
lol. Thanks. This is true!
Joy says
What a great idea! So glad all four names are there. I would notice it & reflect on the fine choice to include ALL your names! Joy
Barbara Falconer Newhall says
Yes. The four of us were a family in this very neighborhood and it seemed right to put that on a brick.
ginger says
perfect, or will be with a yogurt topping
Barbara Falconer Newhall says
You made me laugh! Thanks!