After Noah died, I had this idea to make a bench in his memory. Everyone in our family had the opportunity to paint their own tile for Noah. The younger kids just did handprints, but picked out the color they wanted. We painted the tiles at The Mad Potter and they fired, grouted and sealed the whole bench. I wanted to put the bench somewhere special, so we made a garden in the backyard. It is now my “Garden of Hope.” I planted espiranza bushes in the back that produce yellow trumpet-shaped blooms from summer till frost. Espiranza means “hope”, hence my “Garden of Hope.”
Thank you to all my family who edulged me by painting a tile. Each one represents just how much Noah is loved.
Just beautiful Julie. Thanks for sharing.
lisa c
You are amazing! The releasing of the balloons, the bench – you are creating wonderful traditions in honor of Noah that will forever be treasured by Alyssa and the whole family. You know baby Noah is smiling down on you guys. May he forever live amongst us. Thanks for the great tributes and for sharing with us.
This was a family effort of love to show you two how very much we love you and miss Noah. Thank you, Julie, for being so willing to do things that will help us honor him and keep his life so real to us.
Love you,
Mom
Julie,
It turned out beautifully – What a wonderful way to honor Noah!
“After a while……”
“After a while you learn the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul, and you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t always mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises, and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up high and your eyes ahead with the grace of a woman not the grief of a child and you learn to build your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground is to uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much so
You plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you can endure that you really are strong and you really do have worth. And you learn and you learn with every goodbye you learn.”
I love you for the hope you have and faith you instill in me.
– heart
Just beautiful and oh, how special!!
Julie~ It is beautiful! I pray that this can be your own little corner of the world that you can escape to. A place where there is no pain or sadness. A place where you can feel Noah smiling down on you. A place where you can feel God’s arms around you. And of course a place for hope! I love it! I am continually amazed and blessed by your strength and courage! You are a gift to all who know you!
corey
looks great. glad we could be a part of it.
brad
Julie,
You are your family are simply amazing!! It was so great to see you and Ethan this past Friday! We had such a great time!! Scot and I adore y’all dearly and continue to keep your entire family in our prayers. Y’alls “Garden of Hope” is such a beautiful tribute to precious Noah! He was so lucky to have such awesome parents!! Our love always!! -the burford bunch!
This is a beautiful tribute to your son, thank you for sharing. I am looking at your blog today connected by the link from the Hays blog.
Although i do not know you or the Hay’s on a personal level, I feel very connected to you through the Lord and through the fact that I too am expecting a child in Dec. I remember reading about Noah a few months ago, god bless your family.
Julie,
Your garden spot is beautiful. What a neat idea!! You are so creative. I think of you guys often and continue to pray for your hearts.
Monica Sorrells