A year ago
my cousin, Shari, knew that she was dying. She responded to that news by purchasing a small camper, just her size, and pulling it out west for a several months long trip through our nation's beautiful National Parks. Although she had traveled to many exotic locales throughout her life, she had never been west and that land fascinated her and called to her. She loaded up her kayak and determined to put it into any river or body of water that she came upon. :)
For Shari, I believe this trip was a balm to her soul. She found a true solace on the waters of mountain lakes and underneath western skies. I know that she spent time in deep contemplation and I was grateful that she sent me photos along her journey. I treasured them at the time and now, they provide me with a beautiful memory of my brave and beloved cousin.
By the end of her travels Shari's body was worn out. But her heart and soul were strong. In some ways, I really think she expected to die out west. I must admit that the thought had crossed my mind, as well. But, as it turned out, she made it home to bury her own mother in December. And she lived several more months than could have been guessed. But I know that trip stood out in her mind as a powerful experience and I am so thankful that she was able to make that journey.
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Shari in her camper - parked at 1000 Hills on her way out west.
7/28/17 |
Jeff, Shari's brother, came with her for the first leg of the journey. He flew home shortly after this photo (below) was taken. Johnny, her husband, flew out to meet her for a couple weeks in Washington and California and Jeff again flew to meet her in Las Vegas. But most of her trip was solitary - and perfectly Shari.
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"We followed that creek down to the Platte river."
8/2/17 |
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"Badlands. Amazing. Love it out here so far!!!"
8/3/17
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"Kayaked around a beautiful mountain lake"
8/5/17 |
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"Saw a bunch of buffalo at Custer State Park"
8/5/17
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"Found a great place to camp outside of Cody. This is outside my door."
8/9/17 |
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"In the Tetons, beautiful! They have to be God's best handiwork ever!"
8/14/17
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"Floating around on a beautiful mountain lake in
Glacier National Park using your eclipse glasses."
8/21/17
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Shari parked the camper in Washington State and flew home to the coast for a couple of weeks to take care of things and go to doctor's appointments. She flew back out and resumed her trip.
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"Been out of phone service for a couple of days at Mount Ranier"
9/13/17 |
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"Feeling kinda bad, think I caught a cold in San Francisco.
Laying low right now, but am not that far
away from Sequoia. Pretty campsite."
9/24/17
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"Camped in the middle of the Mohave Desert, pretty cool place."
9/29/17 |
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"You can't tell the colors by the pic,
but it's almost like a coral reef, only on land."
9/29/17
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"Arches National Park"
10/8/17 |
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"This is where it snowed, between Moab and Mesa Verde"
10/10/17 |
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"Guess!"
("Albuquerque balloon fiesta") :)
10/17/17 |
Albuquerque was Shari's last stop on the way home. She returned to the coast to a 'real world' that was still full of pain and problems, but she was refreshed. This photo below came to me on December 8, 2017. From the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Shari's backyard. Snow! I think that was another gift from God - snow on the ground in Mississippi - for Shari.
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| "Believe it or not this is my back yard." |
I am adding these next photos because to me, they are a continuation of the beautiful journey west that Shari experienced last year. Shari's wish was that she be cremated and that her ashes be set free on her favorite river. Jeff sent me these photos from her memorial service, which happened to take place on her mother's birthday - perfectly poignant. It was a beautiful day with sparkling water and sunshine. Family, friends, and beloved pets gathered at the river to see Shari off on one more journey.
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| the wreath with Shari's ashes |
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| flowers in the river at the site of the memorial service |
Shari Ellen Fountain Harshbarger, 54, died Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at her home in Gulfport, Mississippi. Shari was born on April 16, 1964 in Lebanon, MO, the daughter of Gordon Charles Fountain and Aleta (Brimer) Fountain. On April 30, 1999 she married Johnny Harshbarger.
Shari grew up and attended school first in Lebanon, MO then in Pass Christian, MS where she graduated from high school in 1982.
Shari was a local businesswoman and owner of Creature's Comfort Pet Lodge in Gulfport, MS. This business brought together her great love of animals, her service to community, and her business acumen. Her attention to detail in the pet lodge was epitomized in the artistic finishing touches which included decorative sconces at each pet doorway made by her father from assorted southern woods. There is no other place like it anywhere on the coast or perhaps anywhere else.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her mother, Aleta, this past December, and her first husband, Lee Powers. Shari had a special relationship with her grandmother, Lottie Brimer. She is survived by her husband, Johnny, her father, Charlie, two brothers Jeff and Steve (Cindy), niece Shari, great nephew Ian, and extended family.
Shari and Johnny designed their house and built it from scratch, going all the way to New England to get the kind of rock they wanted to put in the walls. Her husband, a local contractor, and her father, known for his woodworking, completed the job. The house is a monument to all three of them.
Growing up, her family vacationed on the islands, in the jungle, or on water. She could swim like a fish from the time she was a very little girl. Shari learned to sail and learned to operate all kinds of boats. She loved canoeing and kayaking and being on the water any way she could. However, she had never been to the western National Parks and she had always wanted to see and experience that land. In the last year of her life she took a months long trip out west to see parts of the US she had never been to. Her solo trip, pulling her camper, provided her a solace.
From Shari’s earliest memory, her grandmother, Lottie Brimer, lived nearby the family and was an especially grounding part of her life. They had an unmatched close relationship. They shared a love of animals. Shari loved hearing her grandmother talk about her early life, homesteading, gardening, and family history. She took to heart her grandmother’s philosophy, “It doesn’t matter if life is troublesome, it is ultimately going to be okay.”
Her life long best friend was her beloved brother, Jeff.
Shari had a very strong and clear understanding of the love of God and the role of the Creator of the universe in her life and in the world. Her faith was deep and well considered.
At her wish, her remains were cremated and a private family service was held. She planned for her ashes to be distributed in one of her favorite natural places on earth. In her courage and grace through her journey with cancer she inspired her family both in life and in death.
