Rest Awhile While I tell You Something….

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?

37 thoughts on “Rest Awhile While I tell You Something….”

  1. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. 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.

    Like

  3. 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?

    Like

    1. 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.

      Like

  5. Hello there, I discovered your website by means of Google at the same time as looking
    for a comparable matter, your website got here up, it seems good.
    I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, simply changed into alert to your weblog thru Google, and found that it’s really informative.
    I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate for those who proceed this in future.

    A lot of folks can be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    Like

  7. Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some help
    from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up
    your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
    I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not surde where to
    start. Do you have anny ideas or suggestions? Thanks

    Like

  9. Unquestionably believe that which you said.

    Your favorite reason appeared to be on the web the
    easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people
    think about worries that they plainly do not know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having
    side effect , people could take a signal.
    Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Pretty great post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say
    that I’ve truly loved browsing your blog posts.

    After all I’ll be subscribing in your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. This is the right web site for everyone who hopes to find out about this topic.
    You realize soo much its almost hard to argue with yyou
    (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a toic that’s
    been discussed for years. Excellent stuff, just great!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

      2. 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.

        Liked by 1 person

  19. 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. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment