There is a bench at the Hummingbird and Rocky Peak trail intersection that my husband put there in honor of our daughter Amanda Shoemaker.
The bench that was there was falling apart and he asked the Santa Monica Conservancy if he could repair it. From scratch.
He ordered special wood and sanded, carved and finished it.
Then we asked for help getting it up the trail and so many people joined in. There were more people than needed but it was more about being part of this really special event. It was heart warming to be surrounding by so many people wanting to help.
We put something special beneath the bench at the last second. Next time you hike up, take a peek.
Now that we are leaving Simi Valley to begin our next adventure we have asked a special person to keep the bench up. It means they have to visit it off and on to check on how weathered it has become.
We lost Amanda in 2009. April 28th.
Her gravesite is Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth. I don’t know the exact way to tell you where she is resting. When you pass through the gates you carry on straight over a speed bump. About 300 yards past the speed bump is a road. Amanda’s grave marker is in the next field on your left (west side). There is a bench made of stone and it is above that toward the one tree. Everthing in that area was brand new when Amanda was laid to rest.
During cooler months we come and sit to think about life and Amanda.
Every Christmas we decorate too.
Sarita Shoemaker 