Pebble Revelations

Believe me, you will find more lessons in the woods than in books.
Trees and stones will teach you which you can never learn from the masters.

~ St.Bernard of Clairvaux

Amongst the vast amount of pebble release snapshots I have collected over time, there reside the stories. Tales of stones set into places of water, sometimes crammed into the greatest structures of our world or simply never to be released …as the person who has a pebble is the one who chooses its destiny. I am merely the vessel to relay the journey’s the pebbles may take. 

This blog is dedicated to many of those who have offered back to the earth, a stone or shell, in order to continue the ripple effect of Shayla’s legacy carrying on. From landmarks to pirate ships, an element of my daughter is given out to the world with such devotion, care and preparation it can only be described as heavenly. 

There have often been times, when I have received something, unexpected and with a great deal of compassion. From angels to butterfly patches and a leather heart with the words imprinted “Mine,” I have been most fortunate to have been gifted with such treasures.

Recently, I met with Markita Kaulius- President of Families For Justice. Each of us lost a daughter- in 2011, her beautiful Kassandra, was needlessly murdered by a belligerent drunk driver, whose weapon of choice was her vehicle. The person who killed her daughter believes after only serving less than a year in prison, that she deserves a second chance and should be let free. I shudder at the thought of this cold-hearted individual being released and allowed to drive again! The following can be found on the Facebook Memorial page for Kassandra.

Kassandra Kaulius, age 22, was tragically killed on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 while driving home from a softball game at Cloverdale Athletic Park Tuesday when her red BMW was struck by a drunk driver at the intersection of 152nd Street and 64th Avenue in Surrey, BC, who then fled the scene. This page is dedicated to Kassandra and her family. May she rest in peace and may her loved ones find comfort in the kind words of sympathy expressed on this page. God Bless.

As we sat and spoke of our girls, we exchanged photographs, and accounts of their short lives. Markita listened to me speak of my tragic loss of Shayla and then she gave me something to treasure. Inside a gift bag was a box with a beautiful ribbon tied around. I opened it up to discover two stones: one had the word “FAITH” and the other was “LOVE.” I was humbled by the inscribed pebbles and let Markita know that I was going to release one, after we had spoken of a place that holds a great deal of meaning to me. I then gave her a polished stone from Shayla’s collection. I have been fortunate to find more pebbles and take joy in handing them out to people who mean a lot and have been an inspiration to me. Markita is one of those women I have been honoured to meet. 

Faith and Love Pebbles from Markita

Back in July, Shayla’s best friend Chantel and her friend Beth took a trip to Mexico. They went on a Pirate ship cruise and were enjoying themselves. Afterwards, I received a photograph of the first ‘shell’ release that they did in her memory. I found the unique way of paying tribute to my daughter, very touching. It also is connected to a pebble I placed in a exceptional creation in London at Hays Galleria. The pirate ship I chose is inside the shopping area of boutiques that are near the Thames River.

Hays Galleria, UK -Pebble Release

Thames River, UK- Pebble Release

Camden Market, UK- Pebble Release

One of Shayla’s favourite movies was the series of fantasy adventures- Pirates of the Caribbean and while in Disneyworld, she delighted in the boat tour we took of ol’ Jack Sparrow.  It seems fitting of the releases which occurred, knowing how much of a buccaneer Shayla was in her quest to seek the freedom of those afflicted in society. 

Shell Release- Mexico

In late spring, I spent hours along with Paul at the National History Museum in London. One of our favourite exhibits was the Giant Sequoia in the Green Zone and the minerals room, connected to The Vault. 

The Vault

With endless rows of gemstones, pebbles and crystals to view, we spent hours in the room. I looked at countless formations of stones and was amused when I came across a chunk of gold, listed as its location: Fraser River- where I reside nearby. 

Once outside, we took a stroll through the nature area, where we found a pond in the Wildlife Garden to release one of Shayla’s pebbles. Surrounded by native plants, mingled with flora, I discovered a tree which had been cut long ago, had a cross carved into it. 

The serenity of the gardens, with rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, brought me peace as I reflected on my daughter’s life. 

National History Museum, UK-Pebble Release

Looking through all of the pictures of pebbles I have amassed over the time since the loss of Shayla, I have come to understand each release holds a different meaning. The discovery that some people still have not released the pebbles I gave them-makes me realize it takes courage- to hold on. Once I give them away or share The Heart Pebble Movement, it is up to the individual what they take from it. 

By T.L. Alton