Here are a few things you may not have known about Catherine. She volunteered with the local DAR, she loved trees (especially Magnolia trees), and she was obsessed with famous authors. So imagine my surprise and joy when I found out that the local DAR gifted my mother a tree from American Heritage Trees here in Lebanon. If you haven't heard of them, you should definitely peruse their website (Americanheritagetrees.org). They take seeds and clippings off trees from the homes of historical figures and develop them into trees you can plant.
My mother asked me what tree she should get for her yard. She listed off numerous options and I told her Magnolia trees were Catherine's favorite. After a quick look on the website, I told mom to get the Magnolia tree from Helen Keller's home. The other option was a Magnolia from Robert E. Lee's farm but Catherine would have made sure that tree didn't survive. My girl appreciated what he did in history but despised the fact he was being used a symbol of hate in today's times. Plus, Catherine told a fantastic Helen Keller joke.
When we got there, I found out that while volunteering with the DAR, she had come out to the farm to write the names of trees on tags. As we walked into the massive greenhouse, I was shown the tags and sure enough, my daughter's handwriting was all over the place. I placed my hand on them and closed my eyes. I was just blown away that she is still everywhere. They let me take two different tags that they had my daughter's handwriting. One was for George Washington's Sycamore and the other a Red Maple from Walden Woods, home of Henry David Thoreau. As I was catching my breath, one of the owner's of this beautiful farm, gifted me a Red Maple. I was going to be able to put a Red Maple Tree in my yard with a tag that was written by my daughter. Mom got her Magnolia tree from Helen Keller's farm and then SHE bought me a Helen Keller Magnolia for my yard.
While there, we got introduced to Touchdown, the coolest hound dog. I immediately started loving on him and he loved on me back. He was the most precious dog and I couldn't get enough. My mom took some photos and I was tickled when she showed me later on that day. I was so sad that I didn't get a photo with my daughter at the fall festival yesterday. My favorite photo was taken with her there. And when I looked through the photos that mom took, there was photo of Touchdown kissing my face while I made a similar face to the one I did last year when Catherine did it. That dog stared me right in the eyes every time he had the chance. He didn't leave my side much during the visit.
After picking our trees, we got to go see the beautiful building that they built from materials sourced both locally and nationally. Mom and I had wonderful conversation with the owners and we shared so much about Catherine. That child of mine made such an impact on the world. I shared my grief and what it is like losing a teenager. As they walked us to the car, the cold and windy day suddenly got warmer as the sun came out blaring from behind the clouds. I looked around at the suddenly bright landscaping, feeling like I was meant to be there, and Touchdown came up and leaned right against my legs. Lots of kisses were given by the sweet dog and we received tons of hugs from the owners. It was a beautiful farm, rich in historical trees, and run by two of the nicest people. On a rough weekend, this was a bright spot. One that I so desperately needed.
My mother asked me what tree she should get for her yard. She listed off numerous options and I told her Magnolia trees were Catherine's favorite. After a quick look on the website, I told mom to get the Magnolia tree from Helen Keller's home. The other option was a Magnolia from Robert E. Lee's farm but Catherine would have made sure that tree didn't survive. My girl appreciated what he did in history but despised the fact he was being used a symbol of hate in today's times. Plus, Catherine told a fantastic Helen Keller joke.
When we got there, I found out that while volunteering with the DAR, she had come out to the farm to write the names of trees on tags. As we walked into the massive greenhouse, I was shown the tags and sure enough, my daughter's handwriting was all over the place. I placed my hand on them and closed my eyes. I was just blown away that she is still everywhere. They let me take two different tags that they had my daughter's handwriting. One was for George Washington's Sycamore and the other a Red Maple from Walden Woods, home of Henry David Thoreau. As I was catching my breath, one of the owner's of this beautiful farm, gifted me a Red Maple. I was going to be able to put a Red Maple Tree in my yard with a tag that was written by my daughter. Mom got her Magnolia tree from Helen Keller's farm and then SHE bought me a Helen Keller Magnolia for my yard.
While there, we got introduced to Touchdown, the coolest hound dog. I immediately started loving on him and he loved on me back. He was the most precious dog and I couldn't get enough. My mom took some photos and I was tickled when she showed me later on that day. I was so sad that I didn't get a photo with my daughter at the fall festival yesterday. My favorite photo was taken with her there. And when I looked through the photos that mom took, there was photo of Touchdown kissing my face while I made a similar face to the one I did last year when Catherine did it. That dog stared me right in the eyes every time he had the chance. He didn't leave my side much during the visit.
After picking our trees, we got to go see the beautiful building that they built from materials sourced both locally and nationally. Mom and I had wonderful conversation with the owners and we shared so much about Catherine. That child of mine made such an impact on the world. I shared my grief and what it is like losing a teenager. As they walked us to the car, the cold and windy day suddenly got warmer as the sun came out blaring from behind the clouds. I looked around at the suddenly bright landscaping, feeling like I was meant to be there, and Touchdown came up and leaned right against my legs. Lots of kisses were given by the sweet dog and we received tons of hugs from the owners. It was a beautiful farm, rich in historical trees, and run by two of the nicest people. On a rough weekend, this was a bright spot. One that I so desperately needed.
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| The Red Maple from Henry David Thoreau |
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| Southern Magnolia from Helen Keller |
I would also like to add that the toilet that broke the day Catherine died has been replaced with a properly working, brand new toilet. A huge thanks to Melissa and Joe for making that happen!
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