Presentation of the Javid Tree by Javid's grandfather Sam Lapp
Click on picture to watch video (17MB). Please note that this is the same clip from the page for the quilt from Plains Mennonite Church.
Javid Tree
Sculpture
Sam Lapp (grandfather)
for
Javid Fynn Lapp Yoder
memorial service, May 12, 2007
Tony and Ana Lisa, we mourn with you on the reality of Javid’s death. We know how much you looked forward to a child in your home, and we and the Yoders to a loving grandson. In the great mystery of life and death, a wee boy was born that held tenaciously to life for more than a half year, but in the end, death was the victor. Perhaps, in light of the comments Claude just made, we need to rethink that. It isn’t fair. Just as you are a wonderful son and daughter, aunt and uncle, brother and sister to others, you were and would have been wonderful parents.
Words are often difficult for me at times like this, unless I write them down. So I digress to a subject that touches the inner thoughts of my mind and actions of my hands. Much will be said today, but I have very little to tell you. When I need therapy, as you know, I dabble in three dimensional art. The best I can call myself is a “recreational sculptor.”
I’ve been working on a quite large sculpture for the park at Plains church, the place where you were nurtured and worshiped as a child and you. As is often the case, the cut-offs of the main sculpture had interesting shapes. Just as Javid’s life ebbed from us the idea emerged to do something with these shapes so a Javid Tree emerged and it is given to you as a memorial to Niblet who is no longer with us.
It is unprofessional, and some would say irresponsible, for an artist to interpret his own work, but I take that risk today to point out several thoughts that cascaded through my mind as I cut, sanded, bended, drilled, fastened, painted and assembled what is here today. Much of what I point out is obvious, but not all. Indeed, you will discover new and appropriate images as you ponder the shapes, spaces and colors of this Javid Tree.
There are two sets of three – like the three of you. Three spires and three rings - large, medium and small. The spires are made of Honduran mahogany. Honduras - a place where you spent time when you, Tony, were not much more than a wee boy yourself. These spires point upward to heaven, about which so little is known. The spires have square and rounded edges, from the church benches from whence they came. They are finished to furniture quality. But, like all humankind, to the discerning eye each has some noticeable blemishes. Like life itself, the tips are fragile and will need care and protection.
The foundation rings are made of strong and heavy steel. At first it was the intent to have complete circles, resembling unbroken wedding bands, without a beginning or end. But as I ponder your and our relationship, I realized there are gaps in our lives, even in the very foundation upon which we nurtured you, the faith, traditions, and values which shaped you. We are not perfect human beings, yet we always strive for connections to each other and others. So the circles which form the foundation for the Javid Tree, like our own foundations, are less than perfect – not quite forming that perfect union.
Beyond that, I have little to offer on this occasion and its meaning or the symbolism of a sculpture. Art and life should be filled with ongoing discovery and rediscovery. One should be able to walk around a sculpture, like life itself. If and when you tire of it, put the sculpture away for awhile, or loan it to someone else for a period of time. When you tire of life, steal away for a period of time for reflection and meditation. My prayer is that somehow the organic materials of the Javid Tree will be a reminder of Wee Boy’s courageous effort to live and your heroic example of loving him, against all odds. God bless you both. We love you.