For
those who might not already know, the Prospect Park Alliance has a
program through which people can adopt benches in the park.  Since the
park has been and remains a place of comfort to me during this
difficult, as well as a place Karen and I used to walk frequently, I've
decided to adopt a bench in memory of her and James.

Yesterday I went to the park with the Director of Individual Giving
to select the exact bench to adopt.  I chose one that is on the path
the circles Long Meadow, near the Garfield Place entrance.  It is in a
very popular location, close to where Karen used to go with her classes
for field trips, and where we would enter the park on our walks.  The
bench is oriented roughly south-west, providing anyone sitting there
with a absolutely spectacular view of the open fields of Long Meadow
without any glimpse of buildings or other structures beyond the park. 
It is in a spot that exemplifies for me what Prospect Park is.

Once the process is complete and the donation requirement reached,
the bench will be touched up with paint (it is in perfectly fine repair
now, but the Alliance does this to insure it looks its best) and a
brass plaque
affixed commemorating her and James.  The plaque will read:

In loving memory of

Karen Stephanie Rothman-Fried

Dec 23 1971 – Nov 16 2008

James Alex Fried, Nov 16 208

Forever with each other,

forever in our hearts.

I know that many of you may have already made contributions to
Foundation Rwanda or another philanthropy in Karen's name, for which I
am very grateful, but I wanted to pass along this information in case
you were interested in supporting this memorial.  Donations can be made three ways:

– Online at: http://www.prospectpark.org/support/donate
(click the second link on this page, and enter Karen's name in the "Comments"
field). by mailing (with a note referencing
Karen); 

– Phone by calling John Langan, Director of Individual Giving, at (718) 965-8994; or

– Mail by sending a check, payable to the Prospect Park Alliance, with a note identifying it as in Karen's name, to:

Commemorative Bench Program
Prospect Park Alliance
95 Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, NY 11215

I
am very excited to have this tangible, lasting tribute to the memory of
Karen's and James' lives, however short or cut short they were.  It is
my sincere hope that I, and everyone else touched by this tragedy, will
continue to find some solace by visiting the park, sitting on the
bench, and remembering their lives for a very long time to come.  If
you have any questions or want to forward this email to someone you
think might be interested please feel free to do so.

Thanks for all your continued well wishes and support.
Love,
Andrew