Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Trace's Tree


He who plants a tree
Plants hope.

--Lucy Larcom



Trace's tree is here!

We picked it out last weekend at our favorite tree farm and our tree guy brought it over the day after Thanksgiving. It is Sienna Glen maple and should look like this in the fall:



The leaves will be an orange red and so far it is the biggest tree in our yard so I think it will be a nice addition to our landscape. I'm happy he was able to bring us a maple tree because they were so beautiful in October when we lost Trace. I mentioned how beautiful they were this year when we were picking it out and our tree guy said it was an exceptional year for maple trees...everything was a perfect combination to make them look so pretty.

We are excited to see it in the spring and hopefully it will be leafed out by Trace's birthday in May. I have lots of plans for more things to plant in the spring as we have many generous gifts to our favorite nursery. I am thinking about doing a rose garden or a butterfly garden but I'm just not sure yet.

Our neighbor was over the day and she said she loved the new tree and was glad we planted it but to also think about doing other things in remembrance of Trace just in case we would ever leave this house. We are planning on living here forever but the Lord knows we can't predict his plan for us so for now I'm thinking of other places where we could possibly plant a tree to remember Trace. Does anyone have any good ideas? I'm thinking our local park we love to visit or maybe one on the public access by our pond. It is so hard to know.


It seems like such a little thing to do but also like a big thing at the same time. It is a another marker in our life, a reminder that Trace was here. I hope we can watch it grow big and strong through the years and changing seasons and think of our little boy.

He who plants a tree
Plants a joy
Plants a comfort that will never cloy;
Every day a fresh reality,
Beautiful and strong.

--Lucy Larcom, "Plant a Tree"

6 comments:

  1. That tree is a beautiful choice for your beautiful boy. :)

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  2. Waterworks Park has memorial trees, however, I really love the idea of planting a tree at your favorite local park if that is at all possible.

    I have followed your story through the Des Moines Nest, and I have thought about you and prayed for you so much in the past 2 months. I am so, so sorry. Your boys are stunningly beautiful, and your faith in God throughout all of this has been such an inspiration.

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  3. What a great idea Rose! I think it would be a great idea for your favorite park. It seems like you spend a lot of time enjoying the beauty there.

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  4. Hey Rose,
    What a beautiful tree. Your nursery guy was right, what a great year for Maples -- and the Sienna Glen is one of the best Maples you can plant. I have spec'd it on several planting plans because of the amazing fall color and the hardiness and strength of that variety of Maple.

    Just thinking that maybe Reiman Gardens has a place you can do a memorial for Trace. I could put you in contact with my supervisor from college -- he still works there and would be a good person to talk to. Let me know :)

    Thinking about you guys a lot.

    Steph

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  5. a powerful, beautiful reminder of Trace. i could see your family decorating a branch or two for holidays or rolling up notes and tying them onto limbs. ewing park in des moines used to have a section called "Children's Forest" -- my elementary school planted one there and would visit the tree year after year.

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