Yes, a garden. One planted and harvested by me and my loved one…in this case, my mother. For you, it may not be a parent. It may be that one person in your life who came, planted, tended the garden with you, shared and admired the harvest you created together, but had to leave this realm before you.

I guess my face said something to her beyond what my words could express because she patted me on the back and said, “It will be OK.”

It is a gift I want to share with you.  It is a blessing because as we were buried in prognosis, we received the gift of prognostication. Until now, I’ve never used this term “prognostication.” I didn’t even know it existed.  The word is just another gift from God to me that I gratefully gift to you as a part of this journey.

I remember now that the CD had one of my favorite songs by him: “What A Wonderful World.” Over a year later, I pulled the song up on YouTube and listened to the lyrics and realized that Louis too had captured a glimpse of that backyard garden.  He and his song were planted along our journey.

Guidance in grief is available.  With our hearts heavy, we move through this season with blind passion.  A passion to make our loved one’s final physical presence here on earth memorable, inspirational, even celebratory.  For me and the family, it was no different. We decorated the trees in the backyard garden.  This time for you, Mother.

She has moved on and left me here with our backyard garden memories. Past memories of when we shared the same spaces and now memories we will create in places unknown.  How our garden will grow requires different planning now.