From April - October the cemetery has a rule that we need to pick up things on the 1st & 15th of each month for cemetery cleanup/mowing. If we don't, they toss everything. So we of course make sure to go pick everything up (I would FREAK if they tossed her stuff!!!!). In fact, I worry about the things left on Sofia's 'neighbor's' graves too. I think about the angel statue in the row in front of hers. I think of the stuffed bunny and other toys left for the boy next to her. The flowers, the balloons, all the items left for these babies. The logical part of my brain tells me not to worry and that these parents know just like we do (or they should) that stuff needs to be picked up in time or it is tossed, but the sentimental/compassionate/worry-too-much side of my brain thinks "what if they forgot!", "what if they intended on going but something came up and they couldn't get to it!". All these thoughts race through my mind every time we go. Ugh... I need to forget about it, but I know how mushy one's mind can be after losing a baby and it would be easy to forget which day it was. Sigh... Whenever we pick up Sofia's things we almost feel guilty, so it might sound silly but we talk to her and say not to worry, we will bring it all back in a couple days. I hate driving away and nothing being there for her. I think she probably understands but it's still hard.
We picked up her things on Thursday and while we were there I received a text from my Aunt. She said she went to Hobby Lobby to buy something for Sofia and when she walked in "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" was playing. She looked over to the aisle & there were shelves full of ladybug things. I texted her & said, well, she must want you to buy something with ladybugs! So she said then that's what she shall get. Pretty neat sign if you ask me.
Saturday we brought all her things back to the cemetery. The wind was fierce but the sun was out and the grass was growing long... Which is something that is somewhat irritating. We have to clear out all the stuff and they didn't even mow. The blades of grass stand tall next to her stone. Grr.
There are trees near Sofia's spot that were blooming so I photographed some of the blooms.
Sofia's spot is all decked out for Spring & Easter. We'd love to be picking out her cute little Easter dress instead of decorations for a grave, but that wasn't in her plan...or His.
I hate that the cemetery would throw them out, but I realize it's a lot to expect them to replace everything in the right spot after mowing. Just sucks.
ReplyDeleteOh Easter outfits- I wish.
Cute decorations! LOL--we bought that pinwheel with the ladybug on it in blue for Hayes's garden. Sloane loves ladybugs, so that was the one she picked for her brother. We laid Hayes to rest 8 months ago today, so I wll be going to the cemetery later. Not sure what the policy is on the mowing there, but I will look into it. THanks for the tip!
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