Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Tuesday, April 5, 2016 -- Mattie died 342 weeks ago today.

Tonight's picture was taken in April 2006, during Mattie's fourth birthday party. We held this party at the Riverbend Nature Center in Virginia. Mattie loved nature centers, walking through the woods, and of course learning about animals that lived in the woods. This birthday party came with a ranger, who introduced the children to live animals (like snakes, beetles, etc) and then took them for a nature walk. At the end of the walk, they got to excavate plastic dinosaurs in the nature center's large sand box. As you can see Mattie was smiling and happy that day.  



Quote of the day: The reality is that we don't forget, move on, and have closure, but rather we honor, we remember, and incorporate our deceased children and siblings into our lives in a new way. In fact, keeping memories of your loved one alive in your mind and heart is an important part of your healing journey.  ~ Harriet Schiff

Today we ventured to Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County. What an extraordinary place, that is doable to walk, and has over 12 different themed gardens. It is hard to believe that admission to the Gardens is only $5 per person.

The only downside of this garden is it is near the airport, so between tranquil moments, you are greeted by planes overhead. 

None the less, the landscape at the Gardens is stunningly beautiful. 

Here is the rainbow garden. Called that because there was a plethora of colors right before your eyes. 

I loved this wavy bench! It just begs you to sit down on it.

The pond is filled with turtles and fish. 

This tree is called a Mouse Trap Tree. The flowers on it look like a big yellow pansy. It got its name because the tree has sticky pods. When mice brush passed it, the seeds from the pods stick to the mouse, and literally the mouse then carries the seeds around propagating the tree. 

Glorious flowers. One of the gardeners told me that this botanical garden is designed to inspire the average gardener. She says that anyone can replicate the gardens we saw today. She said that many of them could also be grown in flower pots rather than in the ground. So I found that intriguing. She encouraged me to grow carrots, broccoli and cucumbers in a flower pot. 

Waterlilies which were floating in many of the ponds.

This is just a stunning tree called the Desert Rose.

Have you ever seen a Rainbow Eucalyptus tree? I know I haven't! The bark is literally all sorts of colors.

Never saw a Fish Tail Palm before either!

The beauty of the Silk Floss
tree.

The next several photos I captured for Mattie. Got to love this lizard on a tree. He wasn't thrilled by my presence.

This one is definitely a charmer!!! Mr. Iguana

I love how the iguana seems to change colors to blend into his environment. 

The butterfly garden was chock full of butterflies. The garden had all sorts of butterfly friendly plants to attract these fleeting creatures. 

The garden attracted all sorts of butterflies. 

Now this was a sighting Mattie would have loved..... a drawbridge going up, and a boat passing through. I can't see a drawbridge now without thinking of Mattie. I can still hear in my head how Mattie used to say the word... drawbridge.