Samuel's garden... a gift

This is a picture of the gift that my parents had made for us to put in Samuel's garden. I love the little boy figurine with the bird resting in his hand. It continues to remind me that if the Lord will watch over even the Sparrow, how much more so will he care and watch over our family.

I love the plaque that they had made. This may all sound a bit strange to you, but here goes... I still feel 100% at peace with having had Samuel cremated... it was totally the right choice for us... given especially that we didn't know if we would even be living here 8 mos. after he died. I just couldn't bury him and leave him here.

I love that we have a garden planted for him right in our yard, with a bench where we can sit, cry, think and talk to God. I often lay on the bench, staring up at the sky and ponder... What is my son doing right now in Heaven... what does he look like, Who does he know up there? Whenever I look at the big vast sky my thoughts go right to him. Right now the garden looks pretty sad... all dead and empty... but I know come Spring it will be beautiful again... Ahhhh new life!

For some reason the plaque makes our little area for Samuel more official in my eyes. I can see his name right there in front of me, in print, permanant... I LOVE THAT.... PERMANANT... He is a permanant part of our family... even though he is rarely mentioned by others... The plaque reminding me that nothing will ever separate me from God's love...for the love He had for Samuel and has for each one of us... This gift meant so much to me, especially coming from my parents.

I came across this post on facebook today... not that I am really a fan of facebook ... but I found this quote and it struck me as so very true...

If you know someone who has lost a child, and you are afraid to mention it to them because you think you might make them sad by reminding them that they died-- You are not reminding them. They didn't forget they died. What you are reminding them of is that you remembered that they lived, and that is a great gift... Elizabeth Edwards....