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Thursday, June 12, 2014

Rebecca's Garden

When I ordered flowers for Rebecca's funeral, the florist suggested two hydrangeas.  She said they  were just the right size to put on each side of her tiny casket and they would be perfect to plant in the yard after the funeral.

I ordered them and she was right.  They were perfect.  They didn't overpower the delicate white box, instead, they set it off nicely.  And the deep pink color of the blooms was beautiful.

After the funeral, we planted the hydrangeas and they looked good for a day or two.  And then the blooms turned black and the leaves started to brown and curl.

I was devastated.

I wanted those two bushes to bloom and grow and flourish every year as a beautiful reminder of my little one who would not be able to do the same.

I fretted over the lost bushes but Dan patiently watered them every evening and told me not to give up on them just yet.  I Googled and determined that maybe they were getting a little too much water so he scaled back.  I even prayed for God to save those hydrangeas. 

I  mourned the loss of my hydrangeas even as I was mourning the loss of my daughter. Until one evening after his nightly garden watering rounds, Dan pointed out to me that there was new growth on the hydrangeas!  They were getting new leaves!

I rejoiced, hopeful that perhaps next year we would get beautiful pink blooms.

And then yesterday, as I was walking past the bushes, I noticed a tiny flash of color.  Upon further inspection, I realized it was the beginnings of a bloom!  I quickly sent Dan a text with a picture of the bloom and the words "baby girl says hello".

I was happy and so very thankful.  I will be seeing new blooms this summer!


So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. - 1 Corinthians 3:7

There are other things that have been planted around our yard that were given to us in memory of Rebecca and they all seem to be doing well.

Dan's sister Cathy and brother Bob sent two beautiful azalea bushes.  They both have new growth!


Cathy also brought a Camellia bush.  It has new growth as well.  I can't wait to see this bush in bloom.
The teachers at Our Lady of Mercy, Peter and Sarah's school, gave us a dogwood tree.  It will be beautiful next spring!
This butterfly bush was from my sweet friend Christy.  It already has new blooms on it.  I can't wait to see all of the butterflies it will attract.

So many lovely reminders of  my sweet baby.




Linking up at Cari's place.

15 comments:

jennwa said...

Beautiful !!!!!

Lucky as Sunshine said...

All beautiful.

Lucky as Sunshine said...

All beautiful.

Lucky as Sunshine said...

All beautiful.

Mari said...

I love seeing things planted as a memorial. So glad the hydrangeas are doing better! Everything looks beautiful!

Jessica said...

All of these plants are lovely!

Amelia Bentrup said...

Aww...this totally made me cry. Beautiful.

Madeline said...

We have a lily from my MIL's funeral and when it blooms we say hello to her. Funny enough, it always seems to bloom on either the special days (birthdays, our anniversary) or really hard days. It strikes peace in my heart when I see it. I love that your springs will forever be beautiful!

Elise said...

Beautiful, Beth. Thank you for sharing these pictures. How special.

Ferrell Boys Mom said...

I Love seeing all these wonderful reminders of your little girl! I especially love the hydrangeas! I plan to have hydrangeas all along the North end of our house. I've got one bush established from a cutting off my mom's hydrangea bush. Her bush has pretty pink blooms, but the bloom's color are determined by the type of soil it's planted in -- which I'm sure you probably know. My mom's blooms are pink. My hydrangea blooms are blue! I'm not surprised since blue seems to be the perfect color for a mom of all boys! I love all your plants!

Lena said...

I'm glad the plants and flowers are blooming.I think those are very thoughtful gifts. Please keep us posted with pictures as they grow and bloom, but no pressure.

Michelle said...

Those little God winks are such a blessing!

Cari said...

A beautiful tribute to a beautiful little girl.

deborah said...

Giving you bushes and plants and trees is such a special remembrance of Rebecca! What neat ideas.

Laura Pearl said...

I love that one bloom--it really is like your little angel is saying hello. I'm so glad those hydrangeas are coming back.

I've been down today, and I needed to read this post. I am both ashamed of letting the small cross I've been carrying weigh me down too much, and at the same time, so inspired. The way you've dealt with your loss with such grace and faith is a huge inspiration to me. God bless you!