(This post is written by Charles).
Earlier this week, the engraved stone niche cover with Amanda’s name was installed at the All Saints Church columbarium. Eleanor and I saw it, felt the letters with our fingers, for the first time this morning.
Back in July, we held a private committal service (Page 1, Page 2) and Amanda’s urn was placed in the columbarium niche wall. The stone covering remained blank as engravings can take time, especially when one has a difficult time deciding what is to be carved in stone. Eleanor and I visited the columbarium almost on a weekly basis since July; and Eleanor looked forward to when she could see Mommy’s name.
This morning when we finally saw her name, we were equally unsure of what to say or do. Later, I did find these words in the Book of Common Prayer:
Father of all, we pray to you for [Amanda] and for all those who we love but see no longer. Grant them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
To visit the niche, you’ll find the columbarium located in the interior courtyard between the Nave and the Great Hall at All Saints, located at 3 Chevy Chase Circle, Chevy Chase, Md. Visit any time the church is open. Even on a busy Sunday, the courtyard is serene and one can be there in peace for meaningful reflection.
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Also, back in July, we scattered some of Amanda’s ashes along the Long Trail up on Mount Mansfield in Vermont. Amanda hiked up and around the mountain throughout her life; she loved its beauty.
Life Upstaged 
Thank you Chuck for sharing this. I think of Amanda often and know she is in a good and glorious place.. and I think of you and Eleanor and pray for God’s great Grace and Comfort.
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Your family is amazing. I only know you through your parents but Amanda’s blogs inspired and touched my soul forever. Eleanor will know and love her mom through you. Amanda is with you always. Thank you for your updates
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Thanks so much for posting this. I think of you all so often and it helps to know where Amanda’s urn now lies and how you and Eleanor visit regularly. We love you so much and continue to pray for the peace and love of God to rule in your hearts.
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Thanks so much for posting this. I think of you, Amanda, and Eleanor not infrequently, since this year I started having some GI changes. Moved by Amanda, her courage, and her work on raising awareness about colon cancer in young people, I went ahead and got a full GI screening done. (Thankfully, it showed no cancer or crohns.) I think it’s great that you and Eleanor have a physical place (in a setting both beautiful and personally meaningful to you) that you can go to and remember Amanda. Her legacy lives on, in the church’s niche and elsewhere.
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