My name is Jennifer, it's been seven years since my youngest brother and father passed away. Every loss is devastating to those they are loved by, but it's been even more difficult for me to know that both my brother and father do not have headstones marking their graves or commemorating their lives.

It is my goal to provide this for them in remembrance of them for all of us that love and miss them.

My father, Larry Clay, was a caring, loving and hard working man. He served one tour the in the Army in the 1970's and then followed his dream to work in law enforcement. Originally from Napa Valley, CA, he moved to Denver, CO, where he lived for almost 30 years. He began as a Patrol Officer with the Denver Police Department two weeks after my birth. I always felt a strong pride in the work he did. After his retirement, he moved back to California. It was heartbreaking when he passed away from congestive heart failure just days after his 61st birthday.

What is even more heartbreaking for me is that my father literally died of a broken heart. He was raising his youngest son, my brother, Jason, and often felt like a failing father due to his poor health and lack of energy to engage in activities with Jason. Despite this, Jason adored our father more than anything or anyone! One day he was overcome by peer pressure and the fear he felt over our father's illness. Jason got his hands on his mom's pain pills and muscle relaxants. At first the pills eased his pain and masked his deep emotions, he continued to take the pills throughout the day. He fell asleep that same night and never woke up. He was only 14 years old. Our father found him the next morning and it literally broke him.

Over the following weeks leading up to Jason's funeral, I watched my father fall into deeper despair and give up on life. It was just too much for his already physically weakened heart. I can't even imagine what it's like to lose a child, but witnessing my father's despair, gave me a peak into how terrible a thing it is for a parent to experience. 

At my father's funeral, family members promised to make sure headstones would be purchased for my brother and father. After seven years, this promise has not been fulfilled. It has been my goal and dream to fulfill that promise. But I need a lot of help. Any help is greatly appreciated with all sincere gratitude.

As I begin this part of the journey in grieving the loss of my brother and father, I will keep this post updated and am happy to answer any questions. 

Thank you,

Jennifer