Kim & Matt’s Special Place

When Matt realized his end was coming, he knew he wanted to be with the trees.
A photo of Kim and Matt together. When Matt realized his end was coming, he said to Kim “I know what I want to do. I want to be with the trees.”

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True Nature Lovers

Kim and her husband Matt looked forward to their summer camping trips every year. They loved going out into the forest. It was a chance to unplug and connect.

A photo of Matt at a campsite. Kim and her husband Matt looked forward to their summer camping trips every year. They loved going out into the forest, which was why they selected a memorial tree at Better Place Forests Point Arena

“Our campsites were our happy places. Just being out in nature was something we really enjoyed. I think that’s why Matt wanted to live in the forest after he left this world. My husband had been fighting cancer from 2015 till 2020. When he realized his end was coming, he said to me “I know what I want to do. I want to be with the trees.” – Kim, Point Arena Memorial Forest, California

Finding the perfect tree from home

Matt was unable to travel to the forest, so he and Kim chose their tree via an Online Forest Tour. They were drawn to redwoods as native Californians, and liked the idea of being near the creek to hear the trickling water. It gave Matt comforting knowing one of his final wishes was in place.

Kim standing at Matt's Memorial Tree in Better Place Forests Point Arena

“Having our tree has given me a gift. It’s as if Matt wanted me to have this special place to visit. It gives me a journey in place of our camping trips. It reminds me of the beautiful forests we explored over our 30 years together.” – Kim, Point Arena Memorial Forest, California

A bronze memorial marker that reads Matt Holsten Kim Austin Wild Horses Couldn't Drag Me Away 2160

A life-affirming memorial

For Matt, a Memorial Tree is a perfect tribute to his life and legacy. Kim reflected “Having a tree is a great alternative to how we have memorialized our loved ones in the past. We can honor them with something that continues to grow and give life.”

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