Demand TY PARK Save Mikhail and Gap's Tree Memorial

My son, Chef Mikhail, and one of his best friends, Gap, were killed on March 17, 2013 on their way home from work at SunDream Yacht charters, when their car sped and hydroplaned over the Sheridan Street hill that was wet from center median sprinklers, into a tree adjacent to our local park, TY PARK.

Since this tragic accident, Mikhail & Gap's Tree Memorial has become a sacred space, a refuge for healing, a quiet place for meditation adorned with LOVE AND BLESSINGS from friends, family and strangers alike.

Out of the blue, on Thanksgiving Day, when I walked with my son's grandmother, aunt, and uncle down the long, mindful, contemplative walk to place our still unfathomable "annual" holiday wreaths at their tree, now, almost 3 YEARS since the accident, we were met by a sign posted by TY Park Manager Margie Grimes stating they are going to REMOVE THE MEMORIAL on December 4th.

It's no wonder our world is so filled with hopelessness and rage when we daily witness compassion and respect being stripped bare and gutted from the rules of civility that govern us.

Please sign my petition to save the tree memorial for my son and his best friend!

To those who alone have the power to enact codes of kindness over the strict adherence to regulations, we ask you to search deep and ask yourselves, "What if these were my children?"

As the mothers whose wombs nurtured Mikhail Neiman Scandarion and Gerardo Alberto Sierra before their arrivals into this often cold and heartless place, who swore to honor and protect their brilliant souls upon their births, we can only tell you that although the devastation of their loss will never be soothed, visiting them, laying wreaths, planting flowers, and leaving our deepest thoughts in written letters where they transcended to a place of grace, peace, and love gives us hope, and helps us heal the empty hole that will forever lay bare our hearts.

We hope that the TY Park manager will find it in her heart and through her best self to leave Mikhail and Gap's tree memorial intact, and to join us in honoring their lives and the loving mark they left on this world. We ask that you share in respecting the three years of grief, grace, love and healing that this sacred tree memorial has offered us and say a prayer as you pass by during your busy day.

And most of all, be mindful that each flower, each newly planted seed, each lovingly placed memento, each family member's and friend's giving act of love and remembrance in honor of our loved ones' spirits is deeply rooted in the memorial that we ask you to respect and leave untouched.

For more information:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-park-crash-memorial-20151202-story.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRcwdNfuHHA

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/South-Florida-Family-Works-to-Save-Roadside-Memorial-360674091.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_MIBrand

Please support our efforts to maintain this place of healing, beauty, and grace by signing our petition. You can reach out to TY Park Manager Margie Grimes 954.357.8811, Broward County Parks Director, Dan West, 954.357.8106, danwest@broward.org, Broward County Parks Superintendent, Gail Preston, 954.357.8704, gpreston@broward.org, Broward County Commissioner Tim Ryan 954.357.7007 tryan@broward.org, email TYPark@Broward.org.

Thank them for giving an extension to the December 4th memorial removal and thank them for their promise to come to a resolution that will "make everyone happy" ... Let Them Know That Honoring Mikhail & Gap's Tree Memorial By Leaving It Intact Is The Right Thing To Do!

Speak Up And HELP US SAVE Mikhail & Gap's Tree Memorial... Do Not Let Fear Tear Down What Love, Grace, Friendship, and Community Has Built In Honor Of The Mark Their Lives Made Here On Earth.

With Much Love and Gratitude, Mikhail's Momma, Rachael <3