A week or two ago I went to Michigan with two of my daughters, and my youngest son.

We went down to be part of the ceremony.. or moment- of placing my father's ashes at final rest in the ground. I got to be there, with my sister Martha, and two of my brothers:Kenneth, and Ronald.

The ashes were intered in a private moment on a Friday morning.My sister Martha gave him the last hug, before his box of ashes were interred. A memorial service and reception for family and friends was held on the day following. Saturday, June 7, 2008.

It was a very quiet farewell to a man who lived quietly amongst his peers. Only two men, who neared his age, and were his peers, in his generation: one who represented the Audobon society, the other: his brother-in-law: managed to be present for the final memorial service.

All ten of the children were there. And a smattering of the grandchildren, and a few great-grandchildren as well. There was also a young man who heads the Michigan Nature Association, who attended.(Jeremy Emmi)

While in Michigan, and even before we put Dad's ashes to rest, I went with my children to visit the Sanctuary at Lake Shannon. Named: "The Lyle and Mary Rizor Nature Sanctuary":it is a portion of land, perhaps 20 acres.. and it was given by my father to the Micihigan Nature Association: to be kept as a preserve, a sanctuary: for the wildflowers, trees animals, flora and fauna: that live there.

The "property at Shannon" as we always referred to it, is an oasis of nature in the midst of the chaos, clutter, clatter, hustle and bustle of central Micihigan. The highways, and "back"roads (they were gravel when I drove them: they are paved now) scream and roar with cars and trucks, scurrying constantly ..by. But I walked into the sanctuary.. as I had hundreds of times while growing up and living with my mom and dad..

and the bird songs echoed under the canopy of old growth oaks, ash, hickory, walnut, willow,and other species.. of trees. Much of the "floor" of the woods is almost clear: because the trees are that old, that large, and they create a room where stillness prevails. The feeling is that fairies and elves must surely be moving about: just out of sight. Or, like the feeling one gets standing inside one of the ancient cathedrals of europe-only better:holier. It was magical.

The day "outside" was the first H-O-T day of the season: and the woods were cool, and a beautiful breeze flowed from across the nearby lake. The stream that runs through the center of the property was sparkling and clear. It washes over the many colored pebbles and stones, the gravel and the sand: and soft clay bottoms. It winds and wends it's way through the forest. There are species of wildflowers, rarely found elsewhere any more growing in the thickets, bogs, and along the pools of this unfettered, and relatively unpollutedstream.

I took off my shoes, and rolled up the jeans, and waded in (It is not very deep: perhaps mid-cal fif one sinks in a soft spot)... splashed face and head... and even had a drink. That is not something we ever really dared to do: during the years with my dad>> but, I have lived in Canada in the wilderness for about 24 years.. I took the chance, and can tell you that:there were no bad side affects. The water is that clean. I have experienced diarhea drinking city tap water in northern Canada: but had no such effect or after shock with this.

We stopped at the mailbox: there is a mailbox next to a signpost along the trail by the lake as one enters the property: all paths lead from there, and inside the mailbox is a small book: a log: where my father, and the people who have visited the Sanctuary over the years, have carried on their coversation. We wrote our comments and left a couple of small souvenires with the book in the box.

My father was a very quiet man. He came and left: quietly. And he gave something very precious to any and all who care to make the effort to go, to see, to feel.. to be .. there. One must enter with respect; and walk with care; the rule is: "Take nothing but pictures/leave nothing but footprints." and to that, I will add: "be careful where and how you step."

This small piece of earth and nature is a jewel that exists because of the effort, and foresight of a simple and loving man: who had the love and support of his wife ("sweethearts for 60 years"), daughters, sons... and a group of like-minded friends.

It was captured and preserved through hardships. Sacrifices were made: simple as it seems: the choice fell on the side to hold onto, and not consume: the trees, the land, the water: of  this particular spot. In fact, effort was put forth to protect and defend this piece of forest.

When he bought the land: it was a piece of oak woods with a swamp in the middle: in the midst of a very large forest. During one of my last conversations with my dad: on the telephone: I asked him, "How far would one have to go to get to another piece of the forest, now?" and he was silent for several moments, and finally answered, "There isn't any."

When Lyle and Mary Rizor first thought about building and living in the area near Lake Shannon, their peers' comment was: "Who would want to live out there: in the middle of nowhere?"  "The middle of nowhere" has become a last bastion, an oasis: a Sanctuary: in every historic sense of that word. And it continues because someone else holds the same value that Lyle and Mary Rizor held for it. My hope, is to see it continue to exist: just as it is.

I am in the process of placing designs: drawings, pictures: on items of clothing and merchandise through the Cafe Press website: with the intention of generating revenues to help with the ongoing work and processes of the Michigan Nature Association: hoping that the effort will help to ensure that my father's gift remains for generations to come.

the url for that: http://www.cafepress.com/lylemaryrizor01

The Michigan Nature Association maintains the property, the Sanctuary: clearing the foot trails, guarding the forest with it's wildflowers, and paying the necessary taxes. My hope is to enhance and further enable their efforts through sales from this website.

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