Around here, we're big on trees as a way to remember a loved one we've lost. You may recall that we've planted trees for such things in the past, as well as joining in such tributes
when done by others. So it was a special joy when we came home Thursday to find a box from our dear friend
Pua and her entire family that held a baby magnolia tree in memory of our beloved Bernice. (Rumor has it, it was Pua's daughter, Averie, who came up with the idea of sending it. Great idea!)
Today, my live-in gardener (yes, that would be
my husband) dug a hole in the back of the yard to plant it:
The tree would have been more than enough, but the icing on the cake was this plaque that came with it:
It says, "Bernice, January 1998 - May 2012
Welcome to the family, little tree. May you grow big and strong like the special lady you honor. You have big paws to fill!
The tree would have been more than enough, but the icing on the cake was this plaque that came with it:
It says, "Bernice, January 1998 - May 2012
Welcome to the family, little tree. May you grow big and strong like the special lady you honor. You have big paws to fill!
12 comments:
Charlie is standing over my shoulder. We read your post together and we both teared up. It's been that kind of morning. So happy to see, as Averie so appropriately put it; "Now she can take root in your garden, the way she did in your hearts." :)
Such a beautiful tribute!
We asked them to cremate her body and return the ashes to us. When we get the ashes, we're going to dig a couple of small holes around the base of the tree, bury some there and water them in. From there to the roots, into the tree and then she'll truly be in that tree! (We also plan to sneak some ashes into the cemetery where my Mom is, so we can sprinkle some where her favorite grandma's body is buried.)
Thank you again! The tree is wonderful!
What a lovely idea, Family Huffine!
Greg & Patrick: They really are a classy, sweet group, aren't they?
It is perfect. And a fitting way to fill the void left from the other tree that died last season. I was telling my mom about it last night, and she was holding it together until I told her about the little medallion engraved with Bernice's name,and she lost it. My mother never allowed pets growing up save for a couple of outdoor cats and three outdoor dogs; her family had a dog when she was a child and the dog developed distemper and so her brother had to shoot it one night. She was very attached to the dog and was only six when it happened, a year after she lost her father to a systemic infection. So she never allowed in-house pets for fear that she would become attached and have to go through the inevitable all over again. Bernice was the first dog I owned who was completely my (our) responsibility and so we tended to lavish her (and eventually, her siblings)with the best of everything. I wanted to treat them like I had never been able to treat my childhood dogs. Thank god for a spouse who not only permitted me to do this but who willingly did so himself. We gave her a wonderful life and have no regrets about the cost.
Actually, I was just telling Jess that this magnolia appears to be what is typically referred to here as a "tulip tree," from the picture that appears on the card that accompanies it. They are gorgeous, with pale pink, medium pink and dark pink/purple blossoms, and it will look spectacular next to the pink Kwanzan cherry that was planted in honor of Jess's mom. And it's so fitting that those two should be together, since Jess's mom loved Bernice. Thanks again, Huffine family, for a truly remarkable and perfect tribute.
And Bernice loved my Mom. Those two were thick as thieves.
One hard moment when we renovated and moved back into the family home was when Bernice took the tour. In a corner of the basement was a little closet that was untouched. It had held things of my Mom's, and Bernice took one sniff and pretty much buried herself in there. She'd found Grandma's scent and didn't want to come out.
Here is a photo of my mother and her brothers and sisters and a couple of cousins. The family dog I spoke of is on the left, and my mother is the littlest girl in the front row on the right. She was 1.5 yrs old in this photo.
That photo is amazing Marc. Thanks for sharing. :)
That's such a sweet tribute. May the tree grow tall and strong.
Thanks, Greg! It was a wonderful gift from wonderful friends. I look forward to seeing it grow big and strong, like the girl it memorializes!
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