Saturday, June 20, 2015
Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2003. We took Mattie to Los Angeles to visit my parents and while there Mattie became fascinated with the piano. So Peter put Mattie on his lap so he could explore and play away on the keyboard. Mattie wasn't expecting me to take a photo of him, which was why he looked somewhat stunned by my presence.
Quote of the day: We should not let time heal all wounds. We have all been wounded, hurt and saddened, and if we let time heal, we will forget these people - and that is something we must never do. ~ Barry Kluger
As tomorrow is Peter's sixth Father's Day without Mattie, I began searching the Internet today to see what other dads have written about this subject. I was curious to know how they feel about Father's Day now that their child is gone from their lives. I came across this very touching article written about Barry Kluger that really resonated with me. I felt that his sensitivity and honesty over the loss of his daughter were very captivating and refreshing to read about. Refreshing because for the most part in the world of grief, so many articles are trying to tell us about getting over it, looking at the brighter side in life, how time heals all wounds, and how the feelings become less raw with time. Barry's article spares us these platitudes and instead shares that Father's Day, even 9 years later after the loss of his child is hard and will always be hard for him. What particularly caught my attention is that Barry and I share the same philosophy...... that if we allow wounds to be healed then we are forgetting the memory of the loved one we lost from our lives.
I would say it is very hard to know how to celebrate Father's Day and Mother's Day. Do you go out and share the day with others? I know it is challenging for me to hear people wishing each other happy mother's day to each other in stores, and I know Peter feels the same way regarding Father's Day. Yet at the same time, it is hard when no one remembers either. Barry's article addresses this too and he says... "If you know a dad who lost a child, call and tell him you know Sunday will be a difficult day, but you were thinking of him. We need to hear that. And if you are out and about, stop and give a moment's recollection of the children who are gone. Believe me, wherever we are, we dads will feel that." I couldn't have said it better myself!
SHARE: Father’s Day For Dads Who’ve Lost A Child: This Day
Is Still Ours by Barry Kluger
Peter and I visited Woodend Sanctuary today. Woodend Sanctuary is one of the few remaining grand old estates in Chevy Chase, Montgomery County, Maryland. The 40-acre property dates back to a 1699 colonial land grant. John Russell Pope, architect of the Jefferson Memorial and National Gallery of Art, designed the house in the late 1920's for Captain and Mrs. Chester Wells. With its architecture symmetry and geometric proportions, Woodend Mansion is an admired example of Georgian Revival. The Greek-style portico and entrances illustrate Pope's eclectic approach to the revival of classical forms. Inside, the large Palladian window over the first floor staircase, the French doors to the terrace, and the Georgian moldings enliven the Great Hall. The Wells Family bequeathed the Woodend Mansion and property to the Audubon Naturalist Society in 1968. The Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation.
The property of Woodend is very tranquil and serene, and it is filled with champion trees, as they call them. Very old trees like this amazing ginkgo tree.
This is another champion tree, a beech tree, pointing its way to the mansion!
Surrounding the property is this beautiful and lush greenery!
There are walking paths also on the property, which we ventured on today.
Along the pathway, we came across this beautiful deer
just sitting very quietly and sit. For an afternoon rest from the heat.
At the end of the walk, it leads you to this tranquil pond. The whole property is very charming and very doable. The last time we visited it, we had Mattie in tow. Which is why I really had no recollection of ever being here. Until we actually drove onto the property today.... then aspects of our visit from over ten years ago came back to me.
No comments:
Post a Comment