As I have mentioned in my previous post, some friends of ours approached us about creating a memorial garden for Caden. They have worked tirelessly to arrange everything, and the grand groundbreaking took place yesterday. We woke up to our dear ones out in the back yard, digging away. It was incredible and I wanted to share these pictures with you so that everyone can enjoy the fruits of their labor.
For those of you that don't know, our backyard is roughly the size of a football field. It is 1/2 acre in size. Seriously HUGE. Many people have peeked out at it from our kitchen and just stared at the sheer vastness of it. So, putting in a garden to fit the yard is NO small task. Our friends designed the perfect space with which to memorialize our precious boy. Overheard from one participant: "I thought we were just putting in a flowerbed!" This is a garden of amazing proportions. A true outdoor sanctuary. And it is absolutely incredible.
They started by digging trenches for the retaining walls:
If you were able-bodied, you were invited to join in the fun...Connor worked tirelessly ALL DAY. Really. It was incredible. Here he is with his friend Braden. 15 children of our friends that came to help were over at another friend's house, where two very brave women took care of them for the day so we could get this work done. Bless them.
The next step was tilling up the sod and then putting the edging around the garden:
One retaining wall done:
Two retaining walls done:
We have always had a deep appreciation for our friends, but let me tell you, we have a whole new level of appreciation for everyone that came out yesterday and sweated along with us (Brandon and I joined in the fun around noon). Folks worked tirelessly despite the 95 degree heat. And, they acted as if they were genuinely happy to be there. We also have a new appreciation for landscapers and, just level ground in general. We moved A LOT of dirt to get things to this point. Butch was our faithful tiller operator (props to Ron for being a worthy second string tiller operator) and he did an AMAZING job getting the ground prepared.
Here is where we left off. After about 50 bags of mulch, it looked amazing. The remainder of the planting will be done in September when the plants will fare a little better. Notice that the little bushes are in the shape of a "C".
Thank you to those of you who came to help, and thank you to those of you who supported us in spirit. We are so very, very grateful. I picture us sitting out in Caden's garden on a quiet evening, enjoying our beautiful surroundings and knowing that our baby boy is watching over us while we're doing it. I can't wait.
What amazing friends you have! I can't wait to see it when it is finished, what a blessing! :)
ReplyDeleteWow Lindsey,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing these pictures with us. I was one of the ones with you in spirit!!And trust me when I say that the people working weren't ACTING like they were happy to be there, they WERE!! I know I would have loved to be there gettin dirty along with them.:) I love gardening. The transformation is just amazing and such a loving tribute to such a perfect and amazing little boy. His presence will be felt each time you relax and reflect there in that place. I am looking forward to the planting in September and seeing the rest of it all come together. I think your friends are just the best and I am sure you do too. They are a gift from God just as Caden is. May your joy be full today and in the weeks ahead. You are loved.
Love and Hugs, Laurie in Ca.
Wow! What a lovely thing to do. You will enjoy this pleasant garden for a long long time. I have one question for you---are there spring bulbs planted under that mulch? Or are there plans for them? If not, would you like some? I would be happy to order some bulbs and have them delivered to your home. Just e-mail me at elw54@hotmail.com if you'd like some tulips, daffodils, or hyachints to greet you in the spring. They are kind of a reminder that life goes on, and renews itself even after the long, cold, hard winter. (Besides, they take NO care once they're planted.) Hang in there! You continue to be in our prayers & thoughts.
ReplyDeleteELW