Communication, Education, Family, flowers, garden, garden photos, gardens, inspiration, Joy, Life, Photos

Hope for us to All Remember our Humanity to November

Watching college football and returning home to Carolina with my educational doctorate, something important occurred to me. This time of year offers many thoughts. The words “pumpkin spice latte” are on minds of coffee fans at their favorite locations, and there’s the ideal of tinted leaves, bonfires, a little wind, and beautiful afternoons.  It encourages—in some cases causes to dread—time with family during Thanksgiving and Christmas.  While it sounds too early, we all consider our autumn plans. 

Bereaved Parents, bereavement, Child loss, flowers, garden, garden photos, gardens, Grief, inspiration, Joy, Life, Loss, Mental Health, Photography, Photos

“Celebrate We Will”: Garden Number 10

In fact, I believe we should celebrate birthdays always.

flowers, garden, garden photos, inspiration, Joy, Life, Literature, Photography, Photos, Poetry, Writing

The Writer’s Block Breaks

We’ll see the changing of the colors, dear, no matter when it is: the swan emerging from the river before summer’s end when one more calla lily portrays its plumes.

Bereaved Parents, bereavement, garden photos, gardens, inspiration, Life, Photos

The Promise of the Peace Roses

But I remembered my promise with the Peace Roses.

Advocacy, Bereaved Parents, bereavement, Child loss, children, Family, garden photos, Grief, Life, Loss, Mental Health, parenting, Photos, Poetry

I Remember What It is to Love a Daughter

Did you know I loved my daughter so much that I did everything I could to find her the blue Sleeping Beauty dress for her Halloween costume when she was three? I will speak of the quality of the life she lived because I know what it is to love, adore, and even defend my daughter.

Bereaved Parents, flowers, garden, gardens, nature, Photos

Let’s Arrange some Summer Flowers

When I garden--whether I move plants, put down dirt, or cut flowers--I feel reconnected with the world. It recenters me.

Family, garden, garden photos, gardens, inspiration, Life, nature, Photography, Photos

Take Pride in Your Gardens

... simply stand back and enjoy your garden. Take pride in the world or retreat you've created. It doesn't matter if you have a small space, indoor plants, all sun, or a lot of shade.

Family, garden, garden photos, gardens, Life, Loss, Mental Health, nature, Photography, Photos

Our Finest Hour

Maybe we identify it through promotion, when our child's born, adopting the dog, cat or other pet we always wanted. Perhaps it's realizing a dream to attend the Eras Tour with Taylor Swift, or attending a Beyonce concert.

garden photos, gardens, Life, Loss, Mental Health, Photos

The Summer Change in the Arendelle Garden Beds

As I discuss in today's TikTok video I made about the side bed in Corrie's Arendelle Garden, my daughter inspired me. I never had an interest. The act of gardening saved me, gave me an outlet for my grief, and also released a part of Corrie back into the world.

Bereaved Parents, Child loss, children, garden, garden photos, gardens, Grief, Life, Photography, Photos, Poetry

Four Years to the Day

write, share videos and pictures of Corrie, and excerpts from her poems; not to forever revisit or stay in the darkness, but we must remember my family and I had to--and sometimes still--travel through this heartbreak and hardship to reach some new light.