Found: Restful Accomodations with Water View

Dear all,

Has been some time, but we wanted to share with you a few pictures of the ceremony we held back in May to put Mom in her final (physical) resting place. It has been quiet here on the blog for awhile--we haven't quite figured out what to say next, so you'll have to pop by on occasion.

It was windy, clear, and blue when we first arrived in Port Townsend and got to work on Saturday trimming bushes and pouring concrete. Sunday was another matter--windy, grey, and a little bit wet. Together they were perfect--the right pairing for our insides and outsides and saying goodbye.

Dad put the 5-sided purple heartwood box in the ground, nestled in tissue. And we had some quiet time, while tamping down the dirt. Dorn & Norma said a few words and promised to visit her often. The headstone wasn't yet ready, so we made do with a photocopy and the line of crow tracks across the bottom of the footing, made in the night before the concrete set.

We are grateful that you joined us last year, in Vancouver or in spirit, to celebrate Diane--on this day that was strong comfort for all of us.

love,
the Hamms

Recent Remembrances

Cousin Tammy has become, with much hard work and time, a master cake maker/decorator. Last month she made the most wonderful cake, celebrating Mom as a writer. So here you are:

"The Storyteller"--Enjoy!

Tammy also pointed us to Amazon, where Rock-A-Bye Farm continues to charm readers.

All of you helped us fill the room to capacity, and then some with your appreciation and love for Diane. Thank you. And if we didn't get a chance to talk it was only because there were so many of you--we are grateful for all of your support.


Dear All,

We finally have put up photos of the memorial service and some of the happy times we (and you) spent with Diane in April and March. As we work through photos we'll put more up, so check back every now and then.

-nate


Here are the photos of Diane and her various crews 'round April:

And of all of you who kindly made the trek to Vancouver to join us in celebrating Diane:

(Thanks to Uncle Dave for manning the camera.)

Pie!
You were all so good and left your shoes on the porch as Di requested.

Celebration photos coming soon

Thanks to all of you for joining us on Saturday to honor mom's life and her cherry pie. Your presence and words were warm and strong. Please check back here in a bit if you'd like to see photos from the celebration.

- Valarie

In Memorium

Dear to Diane's heart was Pimpollo, a children’s home in Juchitan, Mexico. The photo above shows Diane on one of our trips there working her face painting magic on the kiids.

Also you probably do not know that Diane's grandmother, Jesse Trueworthy, ran an orphanage, the Paul Clark Home, in Butte, Montana for many years in the 1940s' and 50s'. Diane often recounted vivid memories of spending time there as a child, right down to the squeak of the bed springs in the frigid upstairs girls dormitory.

As one of her final wishes, Diane asked that I make a donation to Pimpollo in her name. As some have asked, if you would like to join me you may do so by going online to FriendsofPimpollo.org making a donation and noting in the "Comments" field Diane Hamm Memorial. You may also send a check care of Friends of Pimpollo to:

Friends of Pimpollo
P.O. Box 1107
Salem, OR 97308

Thanks!

Jeff

Join Our Celebration of Mom

Help us celebrate who mom was and what she's left behind--from her art and life philosophy to her family and famous cherry pie.

We hope to see you there.

- The Hamm Family

Celebration - Saturday, May 9th, 3:00 pm
Red Cross Building (E.B. Hamilton Hall)
Fort Vancouver
605 Barnes Road
Vancouver, WA 98661

Cherry Pie Chowdown - Post-Celebration to 7:30 pm
You bring yourself; we'll provide mom's pie.
Mom and Dad's house
2223 D Street
Vancouver, WA 98663

-0-

Our beloved Diane. Died 4 am, April 29, 2009.

These snapdragons are treasured in our family and they have been the view from Mom's bed for the past few days. Dad and Lorie wrote down these words from Mom about the dragons early Sunday morning:

"...For me that picture has always been a picture of joy-[a] picture of our family. I have loved that picture; it contains our family lightness. Darkness helps contrast the lightness so you appreciate it. Unless it’s there, you don’t see the joy. And it’s noisy, and there is chatter and activity, just like a barnyard. I would have to paint you a picture but given my present state…."

Bless all of you for your kindnesses, large and small.

-nate


We will post details of the memorial service in a little while