When driving along the city streets, heading to work, I noticed a memorial. The memorial was not the standard of what I usually see. This memorial was made of stacked concrete blocks, flowers, and incense sticks. About a year ago this very spot had a large memorial that consisted of signs, pictures, flowers, and candles. News vans had even covered the memorial and the grieving loved ones. It only stayed a short while before either being removed by the restaurant owners situated beside it, or something else caused it to fade.

Yet, here was this new structure. Is it for the same person, perhaps on the anniversary? Or is this a new one for a new person? The elements used in the current memorial are distinctly different from what was there before....so, I wonder.  

Today I was on my way to work when I passed by a site that has been an "on again, off again" memorial.  It has been quite a while since I had seen anything active at the site and was surprised to see it in full bloom this morning.  It was a couple years ago when I stumbled across this particular memorial.  It was actively burning along side a road that is traveled regularly by drivers who venture from suburban homes to the shopping area, which just happens to includes a hospital on the other corner. 

Eventually the memorial was removed entirely and only on occasion would the ground be swept up in to a mound that represented someone's visit.  Today that mound was returned and colored white.  It appeared like white paint from my car window as I drove by at 35 mph.  Surrounding the mound were several prayer candles....probably around 20 of them.  Most seemed to have the image of the Mother Mary on them, while others were plain. 

I need to go back and stop with my camera!

I was happy to see the memorial had returned.  Not just happy for my own curiousity of this phenomenon, but because it means that people still remember...and want others to remember too.  Recalling back to when I first saw the memorial, I have to say it was about this time of year.  When I check my data, I am sure I will find that this reignition is due to the anniversary of a death. 

Memory is a heavy weight to carry sometimes.

Today I begin my journal on the newest phase of my roadside memorial research.  Through the process of exploring the phenomenom found in Arizona, it is my goal to let the memorials and that which surrounds them dictate my journey.  This blog and its supporting site will house much of what I experience and what I ponder. 

Let us begin.....