My name is Shari, I am the mother of three sons and three
angels, a daughter and two sons. Their stories will be included on the 'Our Stories' site.
In September of 2001, this garden became a dream. Something
to be able to openly remember my children. Then, I thought, how selfish of me, there are others out there who may also
want their loved ones remembered. I left it alone for a while.
In 2002, I took the thought once again. mulling it over
in my mind. Mentally manipulating the yard to accomodate such an undertaking. Again, I set the thoughts aside. My husband,
Gord, was having medical problems that started in 1996 and he needed my attention. He has since been diagnosed with ALS. We
live one day at a time. Ever coping with the changes in his body. Ever praying that they will find a cure.
Simmering there was this dream of a memorial garden. Once
again I picked it up and began planning in ernest. I sent out invitations to others to add their loved ones names and
stories to the garden. So many responses!!! It was overwhelming.
In 2003, Patti Dyson, her partner, Colin Aked, Bev Macaulay
and my niece Jacquie Dobbin started the garden. Oh my, here were these people who knew about plants working so hard to make
the garden a reality.
Patti and Colin continued to come out whenever they could
to work in the garden. I watched them work more then I did anything. I knew NOTHING about gardens!!!
A section of the Garden Of Tears is set aside and is called
Garden Of Hope. This is to remember the missing and the unidentified Jane, John and Baby Does...with the hope of safe return
for the missing and the restoration of identities so families may say their last goodbyes.
We painted the names on rocks and sprayed them with protection from
the weather. The rocks were placed in the garden and a lot of stories in the memory book.
Alas, the rocks are not holding the paint and so we are
building a memorial wall which will be unveiled at the retreat in August 2004. Brass plaques will be placed on the wall to
remember our loved ones.
The garden is a reality now. I walk in it everyday. I
often sit for a while in the seating area and remember my children. And, I remember an awesome man, Colin, who died before
we even knew it was coming. Patti misses him with all her heart. I miss this precious man who took time out of his own life
to make my dream come true.
The following pages will share Patti and Colin's story
with you. A love story. Tributes from Patti, myself, and others to the memory of Colin. Tributes that will never
do him justice.
Thank you for sharing this dream. It is not my garden...it
is OUR garden. Ours because we share a common bond of grief and loss.
