Blaze Bernstein Remembered On What Would Have Been His 26th Birthday

LAKE FOREST, CA — The parents of slain Orange County School of Arts graduate and UPenn student Blaze Bernstein spent Saturday in Borrego Park, where their son's life ended six years before. This time of year, they remember the day of his birth, share stories, and lift up one another through the memorial rock garden established in his memory.

It was a healing, bonding moment both for mother Jeanne Pepper and father Gideon Bernstein, who have spent the past few weeks in court where their son's accused killer is standing trial.

"Blaze would be 26 years old this year," Pepper wrote in a social message during week two of the trial. "While I cannot discuss the case or the proceedings, I can invite you to help me celebrate Blaze by cleaning up the rock garden and infusing it with more love."

Borrego Park, where Blaze's memorial sits, is owned by the City of Lake Forest. There is no plaque telling visitors about the young college student, his love of cooking, and poetry.

The painted stones do that.

"The rock placement began as an organic thing after Blaze's body was found," Lake Forest city spokesperson John Volzke told Patch. What began as a small offering around a newly planted tree evolved into a river of painted stones that is tended annually around his birthday. "The city never publicized that the memorial was there, as we didn't want it vandalized over," he said.

While the city supports the rock garden and the parks department maintains its presence, many of the painted rocks have lost their luster. Blaze's birthday is a perfect time to care for it, according to his supporters.

Community members John Mitchell and Christine Stafford have shown their support for the family during the murder trial, which Pepper has described as a "marathon, not a sprint" and would likely last until June.

Mitchell shared over social media that he and his friends have painted, collected, and placed rocks in the garden for several years. He's not the only one. The smattering of stones has drawn visitors from as far away as Louisiana, Massachusetts, and further.

The painted rocks bear sayings like "Be the Reason Someone Believes in the Goodness of People" or "Faith, Hope, Love." Other stones merely show angel wings, and still others bear Blaze's name or his likeness.

The placement of stones is also a common Jewish custom, signifying that the person being visited has not been forgotten.

"When others notice the stones, they will see that this is a grave visitors frequent, and they too will take an interest in who is buried there, and perhaps will visit the gravesite themselves," according to Chabad.org.

While the memorial garden is not where Blaze Bernstein was buried, it is where a large candlelight vigil was held in 2018 following the discovery of his body.

With the court going dark through the end of April, a day spent at the park honoring Blaze's memory with those who remember him often was healing and much needed, according to his mother. She took a moment to reflect on her son during a recent podcast.

"Blaze was a brilliant, colorful, and charismatic young man who shined a light in the lives of all the people and communities he touched," she said. "Those who knew him best describe Blaze as a modern-day renaissance man, blending scholarly achievement and artistic creativity with intellectual curiosity."

His absence is still keenly felt at home and in the community. However, his parents both strive to uplift others, highlighting kindness where they find it, in Blaze's memory, through their Facebook page and through Pepper's podcast "Pep Talks with Jeanne Pepper."

His father, Gideon Bernstein, also shared a story about Blaze over Facebook:

"What were you doing at age 26? I often think about how much we missed out on not having Blaze here and what he would be doing now. Life would have been so different," he wrote. "It’s especially hard to think about how much he has missed out on not being here today on his 26th birthday. I think he would have been in medical school, enjoying amazing cuisine creations to share with friends & family, and loving life. I found a poem (that Blaze) wrote in one of his emails. I want to share today for his birthday.

"A Greek Feast"
Howling like Erisas, she pours the gravy down her mountain of mashed potatoes and it floods the surrounding yams. This is Pompeii, and you are my Helen of Troy. "

Read Also:

A Life Too Short: Blaze Bernstein Obituary

Mom Of Homicide Victim Blazes Forward For Son's Legacy

Candlelight Vigil For Blaze Bernstein, UPenn College Student

College Student Murder; What Happened To Blaze Bernstein