The 52 Hike Challenge: Memorial

Hike 17

Memorial Day. In the strictest sense, it’s a day to honor those in the military who died in service to our country. After visiting the Christina-Taylor Green memorial park in Tucson Arizona for hike #17 of our 52 Hike Challenge, I would like to broaden that definition.

Christina-Taylor’s life was book-ended by tragedy. She was born on 9-11-2001, the date of the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers. The signage at the park states that “From a very early age she was aware of the significance of her birth date, which in turn inspired her interest in politics.” She was a lively, creative child who loved to dance, sing, and take part in sports. Her butterfly drawings and paintings were memorable.

The plaque goes on to say, “Sadly, Christina-Tayor Green was taken from her family on January, 2011 in Tucson Arizona.”

On that day, 9-year-old Christina-Taylor went with a family friend to see US Representative Gabrielle Giffords speak at a shopping center in Tucson.  Christina was one of six people killed as a gunman fired into the crowd in an attempt to assassinate Representative Giffords.

The Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Park was dedicated in 2017 and is located close to the Green’s home and where Christiana and her brother used to play. As we wandered through this tribute, references to the butterflies she loved so much were seen in the murals, butterfly garden, and a large sculpture modeled after one of her last paintings.

The park is next to the Tucson Loop Trail, 137 miles of biking and pedestrian paths that connect the wider Tucson area. After visiting the memorial, I walked quietly along the Loop for a mile or so and back, trying to make sense of the tragedies that framed Christina’s life. I could not. I cling to the message of hope on one of the park’s beautiful mosaics. “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”

Walkers, joggers and cyclists were making good use of the Loop trail, enjoying the cool desert morning as they passed by Christina’s park. I wondered if they were aware of this quiet stop along the trail, or of the child it memorializes.

 Life goes on for some. For others, we are left with a memory.

Debra VanDeventer is the author of two books: Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life and Until Italy: A Traveler’s Memoir available HERE.