Memory Garden Rededicated

I haven’t done much garden blogging this summer.  I’ve been busy.  Tending to the garden.  Fighting the Colorado hail storms.  Replanting.  Fighting the hail storms again.  Replanting again.  You get the point.  I’ve always said you must have a pioneer spirit to garden in Colorado.  I’ve also been learning to fly fish.  Additionally, my husband and I have been enjoying our grandchildren.  I’m on a mission to de-clutter our house.   I’m studying Spanish and German (via Rosetta Stone).  Doing some bone marrow donor drives.  And I’m writing my book.  Good Lord.  When did I ever have time to work?

But I digress.  Back to the garden and cancer, since that is the purpose of this blog.

Another family member is going through a battle.  Stage IIIc breast cancer.  I appreciate prayers for this loved one of ours. 

This summer, I’ve made a concerted effort to rededicate areas of my garden to those who fought cancer, and are no longer with us.  I hope you enjoy the pictures posted below.  I hope your summer is a fun one – I hope and wish most of all that you are enjoying good health.

The picture above contains memory stones for Jennifer Ronhovde Rotramel and Rachel Kochevar -- two red-headed beauties who in their twenties, were diagnosed with Leukemia and Lymphoma (respectively).  They went through stem cell transplants, became dear friends of my daughter Genny, and ultimately, gained their angel wings.  Their mothers are cherished friends of mine and Genny's and we miss Jen and Rachel very much.  I put their memory stones in the butterfly garden, because these two beautiful warrior women have wings.  

I planted columbines in memory of one of my dearest friends, Carol Timm, who five years ago died from glioblastoma brain cancer.  I chose columbines because Carol loved, loved, loved Colorado.  And of course, the columine is our State flower.  Carol was my athletic friend -- she did a bike ride through the Canadian Rockies.  If she were here today, we'd be bike riding at least several times a month. 

Another good friend, Kathy Dubin Flynn, went through two stem cell transplants.  She was doing great with her second transplant when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma -- same brain cancer as Carol.  I loved Kathy from our first encounter.  I chose Shasty Daisies because they are grand -- they get very tall and spread across the area they are planted.  I saw Kathy as a grand person, who went out of her way to help blood cancer patients, including Genny and me during the early days of Gen's transplant.

 My mom and dad were married for 61 years.  For 61 years, Dad always gave Mom roses on their anniversary.  Mom had breast cancer.  Dad had transitional cell cancer.  I put their memory stone under new rose bushes we planted this Spring.  I miss my parents every single day.