Sunday, December 06, 2009

Deck the grave with boughs of holly

fa la la la la la la la la

Today I decided I wanted to swap the fall flowers at Carleigh's grave with ones more suitable for the season. Anthony and I stopped by Walmart before church to look over the selection, which I must say is quite poor!! I really wish there was a Hobby Lobby in town instead of a hour away! I looked for about 30 minutes until Anthony said I needed to hurry up so we could get to church.

I ended up getting a pack of white/silver bows, a blue mini stocking, and a fake poinsettia planter. Oh, we had to get some cheap wire cutters too since I forgot to grab that before we left our house.

After church we headed out to the cemetery and I went to work. I had a heck of a time pulling the fall flowers out of the vase. I kept pulling the plastic liner out, which housed a big, dead spider. When I pulled out the foam the flowers were stuck into a big chunk of ice came too. Oh yeah, we forgot to drill a hole in it like we planned so the water could drain. We'll get that done soon. Anthony smacked off the ice for me and then it was much easier to get the flowers out.

While I worked on the flowers, Anthony kept an eye on Kyndra as she picked up many rocks and leaves. When I was close to being done Anthony and Kyndra went to the car because it was chilly out. It was around 32 degrees F and by the time I was finished my hands were cold and numb.

I think it turned out pretty decent. Could be better but it works!






38 comments:

Kathryn @ Expectant Hearts said...

So I chuckled a bit when I read your post title... 'cause that's the type of thing I'd say and certain people I know would find it irreverent (people who haven't had a significamt loss mostly).

You did a nice job.. it looks very pretty.. Thank you for sharing with us when you do this.. I stilll (more than a year) struggle with "cemetery etiquette".. I try to go about once a month, I hate to go empty handed.. I'm still figuring out what works for us..

My "mentor" who lost a child 20 years ago, is "not a cemetery person" and also says I think things through way more than she does (Not judgementally just different than her). It's good to have others in my life and see how they process and apply their losses as well.. Does that make sense?

Hugs to you!!

Jill said...

Great job with the flowers! They look lovely!

April said...

I think your arrangement for Carleigh is adorable and I know what you mean about Walmart...

Anna Marie said...

What a beautiful arrangement! I had a little laugh too when I read your post title.

Christy said...

They are so pretty. I know Carleigh loves them.

Wendy said...

The flowers are beautiful. They beam, just like Carleigh & Bryson are doing in heaven. I know she's proud that her Mommy picked out such a lovely arrangement!

Unknown said...

So festive! I love that you got her a stocking!

Christmas with Kasey said...

You did a beautiful job on Carleigh's flowers! Its hard when you have limited resources and time! That seems like when you can't find what you like, at least for me!

Nicolle

Malory said...

It looks beautiful. I too went to walmart today & their choice was terrible. I had the poinsetta plant in my hand but decided to get her a wreath instead. That should be fun trying to figure out how to put that up, lol. What a life we have now huh?

Mary said...

Holly, it is beautiful! I like that the poinsettas are white...very pure and innocent, just like Carleigh.
We bought some flowers too, and a wreath to stake to the ground, since we don't have a permanent vase yet...

Linda said...

Holly you did a great job making the arrangement and it looks so nice. You do so much to honor Carleigh's memory and to help others. You amaze me. I love how God gives you so much grace and keeps on caring for you as you are "Caring for Carleigh", her resting place,and her memory...

Love, Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

Courtney said...

I too think you did a fabulous job with the flowers. She has such a beautiful monument as well.

*hugs*

Unknown said...

This is totally beautiful. I love it.. You did such a fricken wonderful job.

Anonymous said...

I love the white and blue - so peaceful and calm looking. You did a great job.
Blessings, Sarita

Franchesca said...

The flowers for Carleigh are really lovely. It may not be what you would have loved to give her, but I know she smiles at them because they were chosen with such love. And the stocking is so cute!

xx

Nicole said...

The flowers look nice! I need to take Logan his Christmas flowers and his tree.

Caroline said...

It looks so very cute and I love the little stocking. You did a great job. Thanx so much for sharing it.
I love your title for this post.
{{HUGS}}
Caroline

Anonymous said...

the arrangement and head stone are very pretty.

Elizabeth said...

That is beautiful! Good job. *hugs*

Jen said...

it looks great!

Mother Knows Best Reviews said...

You did such an absolutely beautiful job! Hugs!

Jennifer Ross said...

Yes....I laughed at your title too. I like it when people just speak the truth! :) Isaiah has a blue little stocking too. You did a great job, it's beautiful.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

It turned out beautiful. May you find peace during the holidays.

~J's Mommy~ said...

You did a great job. Looks good!! And that little stocking is SOOOOOO CUTE!!!

Akul's mama said...

Lovely white flowers - so innocent and so untouched.

Christy said...

Beautiful. Perfect.

The Blue Sparrow said...

The flowers looks really good! Great post title by the way! :D

House of Collinsworth said...

This is beautiful! I need to change out Noah's flowers soon too. They are very Fall-ish and I really want something Christmas-y. You did a great job with this!

Jodi Lansink said...

Looks perfect!

Crystal Theresa said...

beautiful flowers, holly :) i think carleigh likes what mommy did for her!

Heather said...

I love the flowers!

I want to do something like this for Madelyn. I hate that her grave is an hour away. I hate it so much! Our thinking was that we wanted her to be with family, and we have no idea where we will live most of our lives and where we will be buried. So we put her next to Nathan's grandparents future resting place. Anyway, I really need to get down there to give her some Christmas cheer.

Heather said...

I love the flowers!

I want to do something like this for Madelyn. I hate that her grave is an hour away. I hate it so much! Our thinking was that we wanted her to be with family, and we have no idea where we will live most of our lives and where we will be buried. So we put her next to Nathan's grandparents future resting place. Anyway, I really need to get down there to give her some Christmas cheer.

Heather said...

Oops - I have no idea how I double-posted!

Stephanie said...

Really good job Holly.

The McDaniel 3 said...

beautiful job Holly! Great job!

Kathi said...

I'm so sorry for your loss of your precious baby girl. Cute and sweet pictures of the her gravesite. Hugs, Kathi

Once A Mother said...

such sweet pictures... her spot looks wonderful, and kyndra looks like she enjoyed another visit to her sissy's spot.

Jess said...

Carleigh's flowers are beautiful, I love the little stocking and bow. You did a great job working with the Wal-Mart selection too!

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