One year my daughter, Justine and I walked together. It was a promise we made to each other to do on a regular basis. Most days I would meet her at her house after I finished work and we would grab a bottle of water and head over to the walking path. I often wish now that I had taken pictures because the trail is very beautiful at different times of the year.
In June the peony gardens are in full bloom with hundreds of different varieties and brilliant coloured blooms. They have an annual peony festival there each year but we avoided the crowd and meandered through there by ourselves. Justine, I’m sure was not at all interested in looking at flowers with her mother but she did it for me. The spectacle was breathtaking whether you were interested in gardening or not.
The trail wound through a treed park and came to a lovely stone bridge which crossed a creek. As we walked further we walked alongside the water and entered another shady park. On the hottest days these settings were a cool welcome.
While we walked we talked about what we thought, how we felt, what our plans were and some of our frustrations. It was comforting to have a trusted friend to confide in. We offered each other advice and often just listened to each other. Some of my fondest memories are of those conversations while we walked.
Other times, Justine would come to our place. We would walk through the village right out to the dirt road, past the horse farm. Often we would walk through the little park to the pond. There is a wooden bridge which crosses over a small creek and a little trail scattered with a few memorial benches where we would stop and read the plaques bearing the names of the people who died and their families. I would like to get a memorial bench there for her. She died in a car accident last year.
I am writing a book about Justine’s life. It is called “Not My Story To Tell”. I hope to have it finished next month.
What is a favourite memory of yours?
A bench would be lovely, perhaps a peony (is it a bush, or a plant), too. What were her favorite colors? My wife’s peonies were brilliant this year – pinks, pale pinks and white, though I think she has a red one, but I am not certain. I hope you still take time to walk the trail and think of her. Have a great day and wonderful week ahead, keep writing.
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Thanks Clay. I have made a memorial garden in our backyard for her and ironically 2 people brought peonies to plant there. I had not even made the connection until just now! Her favourite colour was purple so I planted several purple plants there.
I do walk the trail and remember those great walks we took.
Are you a teacher? I’m an Educational Assistant.
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You paint a beautiful word picture. I can imagine the fondness you have for these walks. I cannot imagine the pain you feel. Do the walks and the memories help?
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Thanks Dave! I have walked my dog in the village where I live and it is nice to re-live those moments. I have not gone to the trail near where my daughter lived and even driving by there would reduce me to tears. Some day I will walk there again but it’s too soon. I’ll write instead.
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[…] Cathy and her Kitchen and Our Walks […]
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Thanks very much Claude!
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Cathy I’m so sorry for your loss, a memorial bench would be a lovely remembrance. Although your daughter no longer walks with you in the physical know that she is always walking with you. Wishing you the best of everything with your book and more.
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Thank you Terrance!
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This moved me so much Cathy, do you still walk there often? It would be wonderful to get a memorial bench there for her, somewhere you and go and remember those meaningful walks. I truly feel for you. Good luck with your book, and with this blog it is a beautiful remembrance of Justine.
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Thank you Marje. I have walked by the pond in town but have never walked near her place. I will go again but I’m afraid I’ll just cry the whole way….
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Of course, I hope you didn’t mind me asking? Yes it will take time for you to go back again as that was your special place with your daughter. Hugs, Marje xx
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I don’t mind you asking at all. Justine and I used to go for pedicures and it took nearly a year before I could go back to that same spa. The last time the girl asked why Justine didn’t come with me this timed I couldn’t answer.
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Thanks Cathy, that’s good to know. Yes it must be so difficult to readjust to going places without her.
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That was the hardest because I knew they would ask why she wasn’t with me….
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Wow. This was so sweet and pleasant to read. I’m so sorry for your loss but I’m glad you have such vivid and fantastic memories with her. If your book reads any where as lovely as your post it will be a beautiful piece of work. Love the title too. God bless you and grant you peace. ❤
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Thank you Vashti
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[…] will warm up so I can take a short walk where Justine and I used to walk. I wrote about that here. That will inspire my […]
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