A Year of Reflection: Honoring Austin's Final Wishes in Daytona
As the leaves begin to change and the air grows crisper, I find myself reflecting on a poignant journey that took place this time last year. From September 21st to October 1st, 2023, I, along with Austin's mother and his girlfriend, traveled to Daytona Beach to fulfill one of his final wishes: to spread his ashes in a place that held a special significance for both of us.
Daytona Beach has been a cherished destination for me since I was a toddler. Nearly every summer of my life has been spent on its sandy shores, creating memories that span generations. It was here that I introduced my son, Austin, to the ocean when he was just eight months old. Over the years, I taught him the ways of the sea, just as my father had taught me—how to read the currents, handle riptides, and respect the powerful forces of nature.
The last time Austin visited Daytona was in 2016, when he was 15 years old. We stayed at the Wyndham Ocean Walk Resort. Returning there last year was bittersweet. While we tried to enjoy our time, the underlying sense of grief and sadness was ever-present, a reminder of the reason for our visit.
We spent our days revisiting familiar haunts, places that held memories of my childhood and Austin's. We dined at the same restaurants that had stood the test of time and continued our tradition of visiting the Salty Dog Surf Shop to buy the latest shirts. These small rituals brought a sense of continuity and connection to the past.
On September 28th, a day that serendipitously turned out to be National Son's Day, we gathered to spread Austin's ashes. It was a deeply emotional moment, knowing that his spirit would forever be intertwined with the waves and sands of Daytona—a place that was as special to him as it was to me.
It's hard to believe that a year has already passed since that day. Time has a strange way of moving both quickly and slowly, leaving us to navigate the ebb and flow of our emotions. As we approach November 6th, which would have been Austin's 25th birthday, we are planning another event to honor his memory. We will gather at the Star City Roller Skating Center, a business my father owned from 1971 to 2009.
Austin was a third-generation skater, and his passion for inline speed skating took him to the national championships in 2007. Skating was in his blood, just as it is in mine.
On that day, we will celebrate Austin's life with a balloon release and bury some of his ashes on the property. It will be a moment to remember the joy he brought into our lives and to ensure that his legacy continues to inspire us.
As I reflect on the past year, I am reminded of the enduring power of love and memory. Austin's spirit lives on in the places he loved and in the hearts of those who loved him. And while the pain of his loss remains, so too does the comfort of knowing that he is forever a part of the places that shaped our lives.
Scotty Blaze
Vilomah Father
Austin
Forever Loved
Forever Missed
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