Mother's Day with Bayley...this entry written by Ruby
Mother's Day is a weekend that's to be dreaded by those who have lost their Mothers. The depth of anguish can be unbearable. So it was with tenderness I wanted to help Bayley observe this time. She doesn't go out to the cemetery very often, probably because it is the saddest place on earth. But would she be willing to go if it could be made fun, say with Emma and Andrew? They are the built in playmates now, and fun is their specialty. Anywhere they go fun comes along . They are just so innocent and interested in everything. Bayley's Dad was out of town, but I knew he would be a good sport about anything I spent, as usual.
Last year he wanted me to order flowers, so this year I assumed the same would be appropriate. The florist made a beautiful delicate silk spray of pink azaleas and white magnolias in a round nosegay on a little easel to be stuck in the ground so it wouldn't blow away. We tucked in a little florist's card to be signed if it seemed desirable. When Bayley saw them, she said, Oh, these flowers are pretty.
The evening was great without any wind for once, and at CCD the Catholic Children were decorating the altar with flowers to honor Mary the Mother of Jesus. After CCD it seemed like a perfect time to take Emma, Andrew, and Eric with us on a picnic. It was Cinco de Mayo, Sarah and Jeff needed a sitter while they were going to La Paz.... The nice Densmore Park across the street from the cemetery has a great playground and grassy areas with picnic tables. We got Taco John's (they had a taco special also) and took our picnic to the park. Though it was a little chilly if you eat fast and run around and play, you will warm up. We had been playing the Anniversary CD in the van. Their favorite, of course, is their own hit, I'll Fly Away, and Alice's, In My Father's House. The music helped set the stage for going to the cemetery. After everyone was exhausted from the playground, it felt good to get in the van and drive over to the place where Bayley's Mom is buried. Andrew had lots of questions which Bayley didn't mind answering. This is where my Mom is buried. She's not here, she's in Heaven. Lots of people have died in Lincoln since the olden days, they are all buried here. We placed the flowers at the gravesite. I asked Bayley if she wanted me to write something on the card. She said, No, I'll write a card to my Mom. She wrote, Love you, Mom. from your daughter, Bayles, and friends. Then Emma and Andrew signed their names. They sat down on the ground by the headstone. Bayley said, You guys want to pray? They nodded, so Bayley prayed , Dear Jesus, Thanks that my Mom's in a better place. Both Emma and Andrew prayed then too. I just marveled at these sweet children with their dear little ways. Eric and I were sitting a little way off as Eric was pretty tired. Then Bayley said, You guys want to see the pond? I thought oh no, mud. ... then oh, who cares, it's only mud. but where was the pond? It turned out they had to run half way across the cemetery, while I followed in the van with Eric, but they didn't care because it was such a beautiful evening. When they got to the pond, the frogs were already there waiting for us! We picked up sticks and stirred up the water and the frogs jumped in. Eric couldn't wait to get out of the car seat and play with sticks in the water also. There were crawdads and ducks. The keepers of the cemetery must know that a reflecting pond with mud, frogs, crawdads, and ducks is just what little children need when they are in the depths of despair.
Last year he wanted me to order flowers, so this year I assumed the same would be appropriate. The florist made a beautiful delicate silk spray of pink azaleas and white magnolias in a round nosegay on a little easel to be stuck in the ground so it wouldn't blow away. We tucked in a little florist's card to be signed if it seemed desirable. When Bayley saw them, she said, Oh, these flowers are pretty.
The evening was great without any wind for once, and at CCD the Catholic Children were decorating the altar with flowers to honor Mary the Mother of Jesus. After CCD it seemed like a perfect time to take Emma, Andrew, and Eric with us on a picnic. It was Cinco de Mayo, Sarah and Jeff needed a sitter while they were going to La Paz.... The nice Densmore Park across the street from the cemetery has a great playground and grassy areas with picnic tables. We got Taco John's (they had a taco special also) and took our picnic to the park. Though it was a little chilly if you eat fast and run around and play, you will warm up. We had been playing the Anniversary CD in the van. Their favorite, of course, is their own hit, I'll Fly Away, and Alice's, In My Father's House. The music helped set the stage for going to the cemetery. After everyone was exhausted from the playground, it felt good to get in the van and drive over to the place where Bayley's Mom is buried. Andrew had lots of questions which Bayley didn't mind answering. This is where my Mom is buried. She's not here, she's in Heaven. Lots of people have died in Lincoln since the olden days, they are all buried here. We placed the flowers at the gravesite. I asked Bayley if she wanted me to write something on the card. She said, No, I'll write a card to my Mom. She wrote, Love you, Mom. from your daughter, Bayles, and friends. Then Emma and Andrew signed their names. They sat down on the ground by the headstone. Bayley said, You guys want to pray? They nodded, so Bayley prayed , Dear Jesus, Thanks that my Mom's in a better place. Both Emma and Andrew prayed then too. I just marveled at these sweet children with their dear little ways. Eric and I were sitting a little way off as Eric was pretty tired. Then Bayley said, You guys want to see the pond? I thought oh no, mud. ... then oh, who cares, it's only mud. but where was the pond? It turned out they had to run half way across the cemetery, while I followed in the van with Eric, but they didn't care because it was such a beautiful evening. When they got to the pond, the frogs were already there waiting for us! We picked up sticks and stirred up the water and the frogs jumped in. Eric couldn't wait to get out of the car seat and play with sticks in the water also. There were crawdads and ducks. The keepers of the cemetery must know that a reflecting pond with mud, frogs, crawdads, and ducks is just what little children need when they are in the depths of despair.