Tomorrow is a very special lady's birthday...Jen Salinas, Jalene's Mommy. Rowan has such a special connection with Jen, and I am proud to call her my dear friend as well. She is always the very first one rushing to the ER or ICU to be with Rowan and I when he goes in, even if it means leaving work to be there. We have been through some of the worst times a person can through together, but God brought us together for a reason, and we cherish her friendship more than words can say.
We wanted to surprise Jen for her birthday, so this is how we spent our day today...sprucing up Jalene's memorial garden in Jen's back yard. She doesn't know we did this...(unless she is reading this post or is home from work yet;) Rowan designed this garden after Jalene passed away and Keller Williams helped Rowan make his dream garden become a reality during their Red Day community event last year. It's been a year of crazy weather, including floods and hail, so Rowan and I decided to go replant all of the flowers and make this area beautiful again for Jen and her family. Rowan of course wanted to add something new this year too though...you'll see...
First, we picked lots of pretty pink and yellow flowers to honor Jalene's memory again...
Rowan and his nurse Cindy spread new crushed granite across the garden area...
Rowan and I replanted all of the flower pots...
Cindy pulled up the weeds around the border...
And Rowan helped me place all the newly potted plants and flowers in the perfect spots!
It was so nice to see some of the special touches that Rowan originally placed here last year, like this gorgeous mosaic birdhouse, which he picked because it looked like it was "Frozen"...
We added a "Happy Birthday" balloon and laid her birthday cards on the garden table...
Once it was perfect, Rowan sat down and enjoyed this special spot, in honor of his friend...
You may have noticed a little something new in a couple of these pictures...this little guy...
You may remember my recent post about Rowan reading Charlotte's Web and going to see the play with his friend Charlotte a few weeks ago. Well, Rowan and Ian painted this angel pig last night, so Rowan could add it to the memorial garden today. He says it reminds him that just like Charlotte and Wilbur were "true friends", so are he and Jalene. And he wanted this pig to be his symbol to Jen that he would have given his life for Jalene if he could have, just like Charlotte did for Wilbur. The boys painted it pink with yellow wings, in Jalene's memory. They were so honored to do is too...
I captured this priceless moment between them while they painted...
And of course there was a sign that Jalene loved it...as Rowan says, their are ALWAYS signs...you just have to remember to look for them.
When we were done, they noticed that Ian's hand had two perfect pink hearts on it from getting the paint on himself while painting the pig. They weren't painting hearts on the pig, they were just covering it in paint, yet still...the paint made two PERFECT hearts. There's the sign. We see it too Rowan:)
We love you Jen! Happy Birthday from Rowan, Cindy and I. I hope you enjoy your refreshed garden spot, and that you get to relax there for a bit tomorrow on your birthday.
We miss you Jalene! And we hope you like the garden too. We heard the wind chimes while we were there, so we know you do:)
And thank you for sharing your Mommy with me.
Love, Rowan
Rowan's story's always touch me to my inner soul, he amazes me in all he does for others in always putting their needs before hs own. I absolutely love following his story and pray for him everyday,that he gets everyday his little heart deserves. Love you all dearly!!
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