"She makes me braver."

Rowan and I could not be happier or more excited about being involved in the planning of Jalene's Memorial Garden for her family. Rose Martinez and Keller Williams Realty Team are the ones who are heading up this amazing service project, as part of their annual RED day, which stands for: "Renew. Energize. Donate".  When Rose called and asked if Rowan would like to help plan the memorial, he lit up like the sun.  Since that day, he has dreamed about it, talked to me about it, talked to Jalene about it, drew pictures of his plan, and shopped for special items to make his plan come to life.  It is all coming together so nicely now, and we cannot wait for the install day.

Last night I asked Rowan what the best part his garden plan was.  His answer, "honoring her". I was shocked and immediately brought to tears.  I'ts just not a concept you think a child would understand.  I asked him what he meant by that and he said, "She was so brave and such a fighter, I don't have enough words to describe her, she was just so special.  She never said 'I'm not gonna make it', and she fought as hard as she could until the tumors outnumbered her.  She makes me braver.  I want the garden to make her family braver too."  tears...

What more can you ask of a memorial garden for a friend, than to help those of us who are still here on Earth.  To make us smile.  To make us remember.  To make us braver.  To honor her.

Rowan and I continued our conversation at bedtime.  He shared with me, that if she was still alive, he would tell her, "that she's my best friend and she inspires me".  Then he went on, "if she only came back for a day I would want to have a play date with her, and definitely do more art together.  I would want it to last forever though, or until we both went to heaven together." tears, tears and more tears...

I really wish I could show you Rowan's amazing picture of the memorial garden he is dreaming about for Jalene's family, or photos of all of the special items he picked out, but I just really think it should be a surprise the day the garden is revealed to Jen and her family.  For now, just know that Keller Williams Realty & Rowan are working hard to make this memorial garden honor Jalene!