The first anniversary of Kristina’s death is coming up at the end of October. In honor of her life, our family has been thinking about how to mark the occasion, and how to find a way to gather in remembrance, in shared grief, and in celebration.

Embracing Kristina’s love for nature and the outdoors, we thought it appropriate to select a location where her spirit would be at ease and that others might be comfortable and enjoy the surroundings.

After much consideration, we’ve decided to host a memorial gathering at the site of a former dairy farm near Frederick, Maryland. Our family is renting the venue, and on Saturday, Oct. 26, the weekend before the anniversary of Kristina’s passing, we’ll be hosting an “open house” memorial there most of the day. Family and friends are welcome to drop in whenever they can over the course of the day, or come and stay for awhile! Bring a memory, or a story, or a poem or a song that reminds you of Kris, or just bring the gift of yourself — which is what she would have most treasured. 

Weather permitting, the farm has some lovely outdoor spaces for gathering and fellowship, including a beautiful patio, fire pit, and pond, as well as plenty of indoor space in case it gets chilly or rainy. 

An RSVP form is available so we can plan accordingly. If you can’t attend in person, virtual visits over Zoom or FaceTime can be arranged.

Even now, going on a year since Kristina’s death, it’s still so hard to believe that she’s gone. We miss her light, her love, and her laughter, and we know that many others continue to feel her loss as well. Kristina loved in such big, bold ways, and she seemed to build community wherever she went. For those whose lives she touched, for those who still so keenly feel her absence, if you’re able and available, we invite you to join us on Saturday, October 26, to celebrate her life and memory.