Remembering Jake

Beads

Several years ago for my birthday, Jake purchased a necklace in Jamacia for me. At the time it was very meaningful since he loved neclaces with big shark teeth and constantly wore them. I often wore this necklace while wakeboarding and hung it when not in use on my Jeep's review mirror. At the time of Jake's death, this necklace became a cherised item since it was the only gift he had ever giving me (without the help of Eileen). I often wear it when I'm having a particulary rough day and want to have somthing to remind me of Jake near by.

After Jake's Suicide, I found a matching twin of the same necklace tucked away in a box Jake kept of things he collected. I decide to remove the beads from his unused necklace and place them in special places. I hand paint each one and carry them with me for placement at special locations. Here is an ongoing record these locations.

Here is the Necklace Jake Gave me. I painted "jake" on the unkown shell/tooth charm.

Here is the Necklace I found in Jake's room with the beads removed

Here is the hand painted version of each bead. I painted along the edge jakemayes.com. On the back a semicolin which is a symbol for life going on, to be continued as a hope for those considering suicide. The there side is a red heart with the chinese symbol for Greif in the middle.

Bead #1 Jake's Eagle Project Bocce Ball Court, Pioneer Park, Nevada City, CA

Bead 2. This is the Memorial site for our neigbors daughter Sierra who fell of a cliff while away at UC Santa Barbara. Isla Vista, CA

Bead #3. The lookout Sierra Buttes Elevation 8590 feet

Fenway Park Grandstand 10, Row 13, in front of Seat 2

Out of the darkness walk. I placed this in my white beads (representing loss of a child) and walked 15 miles in rain and wind thinking of Jake the whole time. These beads will be placed on a tree in Jakes honor at a later date

Hearst Castle. I waw the Cannon and thought it would have been the coolest thing to Jake. Plus this was the only place I could put one without messing up some ancient art (the cannon was filled with dirt and stuff/