Stones
Leaving a token at a final resting place spans numerous cultures and countries. From the 100,000 tokens and messages left by visitors at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. to family members in Japan who honor their loved ones by offerings of favorite foods - people seek to express their loss and love by placing an object whose meaning is greater than the object itself.
Placing a stone on a grave dates back to the times when a caim of stones marked the burial site. The stones protected the site and by their enduring nature, stood as a testimony to the numerous people that honored the deceased by visiting the grave.
This timeless tradition still exists today. A recent Wall Street Journal article (June 21, 2008, page A1) spoke of Senator James Webb placing a rock on the headstone of Senator John McCain's father in Arlington National Cemetary. The Wall Street Journal called it "a tradition that signals respect for the dead."
Jerusalem
The Holy City of Jerusalem is the spiritual center of many religions. To many, Jerusalem represents man's aspirations for a life of meaning and spirituality. This unique stone from the Holy City of Jerusalem, used to build King Solomon's Temple and the holy city's dwellings for centuries, remains representative of peoples' aspirations to live honorably and admiriably.
