Thank you very much for your kind words Lordeebee! The garden has been an extension of our hearts. It has been many months in the making, and a long journey, but well worth it. It has been an honor to be able to share the development of this garden here on Websleuths. Even though most people can not physically go out to Roslyn Lake and plant something, feel comfort in knowing, that with each flower planted that there is a little bit of all of our hearts there and growing!
When I first put the pot of miniature roses by the power pole back in November, I only expected them to last a week or so. I felt that they were going to either die with the soggy weather or that somebody might just steal them. It was tough to find the positive and see the light, when there was so much darkness that occurred in that spot. When I placed the roses, they were in their original plastic decorative wrap, and I had just placed them on the ground by the power pole.
Every other week, I would drive out to Roslyn Lake and the roses were still there. They kept on blooming. Even though the turnout would be covered in beer cans and garbage, nobody touched or took the roses. I was happy to be able to provide updates here on Websleuths of my journey every week and show the progression of the potted roses. Every week, my journey out to Roslyn Lake brought mixed emotions. Making that turn from Lusted Road onto Thomas Road, made my heart sink every time. But underneath all of my emotions, was a sense of calmness and peace. I knew that there was something bigger and more connected than I could understand. Every trip that I took out there, I would play Celtic music. In January of this year, I gave Whitney's Mom and family an Enya's Greatest Hits CD. Later I found out from Whitney's mom that Whitney loved Enya, and had played 3 of the songs that happened to be on that CD, at her wedding.
The roses kept blooming through December. On a snowy New Years Eve, I drove out to Roslyn Lake to take some final photos before the freeze. There was a single yellow bud, and a pink/red bud unopened and beside each other. This was also the Eve of what would have been Whitney and Clint's 2nd Wedding Anniversary, They were married on Jan. 1st. The roses had buds up until the end of January. After that time, I thought that the roses might have died, because they had been in the pot so long without anyone touching them.
I later placed Silk Purple Tulips on the Power Pole, later to find out that those were Whitney's favorite flower. I decided to place a Purple Rose out there. I first placed it into a Glazed Pot, but then placed it into the ground. Later I put the Silk Purple Tulips into the Pot. I placed the original miniature roses from the plastic pot into the ground.
La Louved has always blessed us with her gardening knowledge and inspiration! She came out and planted more flowers. Then I followed, and planted more and placed the sign. Then La Louve came out and extended the garden. With each update to the garden, I would send the family photos of the progress. The original potted roses, had one surviving branch that is now sprouting leaves. This was placed to the North of the Glazed Pot. It is funny how watching a plant, that you think will die, can prove you wrong. Just because a person can't see the growth on the surface, does not mean that something isn't growing in a place that we can not see. Nature has taught me many lessons over these past 7 months.
As La Louve had also mentioned, that this became more than just a garden. People came out and started sharing their connections that they have had with Whitney and with the garden. They opened up and shared their experiences and feelings with us. There is so much more hope and light around us that is hard to see, when it gets covered up by selfish dark acts caused by other people.
There is a powerful force of the good inside all of us, and in this world.
This garden made a larger impact on people and the area community than I had expected. I spoke with a retired Police Officer last week out at Roslyn Lake, that came from Idaho, and wanted to visit the spot. I am happy that he didn't have to see a grungy turnout with beer cans. He was able to see a beautiful garden and sign, showing light and dignity for Whitney. He shared with me how this had impacted him.
Being part of the garden and cleaning up the turnout has been an honor to do. Working along side La Louve has also been an honor and a blessing. I believe that Whitney would be proud of all of the flowers and people thinking about her. Lordeebee, you have my blessing to plant in Whitney's Garden!
Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of the character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning. - Lydia M. Child
Yes I'm sure it is a place that helps the healing process. Just looking at the photos makes me happy. 
