Monday, April 12, 2010

More than just flowers

On Sunday, Anthony and I went out to the cemetery after church. I told Anthony that I wanted to get the birthday balloon out of the flower arrangement that I had put up for Carleigh’s birthday. I was just going to let Kyndra play with it. She loves balloons.

Well, we got out to the cemetery and it’s gone. All of it. The flowers, the balloon, even the darn styrofoam crap everything was stuck in. I was quite upset about this. Carleigh’s birthday flowers were so pretty. They were pastel pink, purple, and yellow with kinda off-white/white flowers too. It was nice and full and it was beautiful in her vase. And now they’re gone.

I don’t know if they blew away when it was windy one day or if someone took them. We’ll never know. I would hate to think that someone took them but I really stuffed that styrofoam down in there and don’t know how it could’ve just blew out. I guess it’s possible. If that happened then the cemetery people likely threw them away. That upsets me too. They should have like a lost and found or something.

We looked all over for them. We even drove our van around and Anthony walked the fence row but we couldn’t find them. So for now her vase sits empty and to me it looks just awful. I don’t like it to be empty.

Luckily, my mom gave me a spring and fall arrangement already made to put in her vase so I’m going to take out the spring arrangement tomorrow to put in. But it isn’t the same.

I spent the time picking out the flowers and even though I had it arranged, I pretty much rearranged it because I wasn’t completely satisfied with how it was done. These were more than just flowers stuck in a vase just for the heck of it. They were lovingly picked out just for my baby girl as a special gift to her on her birthday. And they’re gone.

I’ll get over it but for now I’m still kinda stewing over the fact that they’re gone and I have to replace them.

32 comments:

Jaime said...

Oh Holly, I am so sorry. xo

Lighthouse Photography said...

I am so sorry that happened!

Stephanie @ dirtandlace.com said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that.

Elizabeth said...

I know just how that is. Many times I have gone to Connor's resting place and have found things missing.I don't know if other family took them or if they got thrown away or what but it hurts sometimes when those things are taken away. I'm sorry it has happened to you. *hugs*

chadandnikki said...

I really hate that for you. I wish I could fix it. Much love.

Unknown said...

That just boils my blood. One year we went and decorated our family plot and everything turned up missing. Well my family is from a small town and about a week later found all our flowers planted in a lady's yard in the same town. We were so mad. People just need to learn to respect. They don't realize how important little things can mean to grieving families. Well for your sake I hope they were just blown by the wind!

((HUGS))

Amy Louise said...

I'm sorry. Sometimes when things don't go how I planned I reinvent a new reality.Here's whatI want you to picture. Carleigh is sitting on Jesus lap. She looks down at her flowers and admires them. In one quick instant Jesus plucks them from the vase and she claps her hands with delight. Jesus laughs as she chases the balloon all over Heaven.

Jennifer Ross said...

That's happened at Isaiah's grave too. More times than I want to count! I have even had stuff that was mowed over and they cut part of his plant last summer with one of those weed cutter things. I was very angry. I encourage you to call up the office and just ask them if they no anything about the flowers, and what there rules are. Sorry, if you already have.

I did the same thing last year. I guess each cemetery has its own rules. I thought they would just leave us alone, considering our situation, and the loss that we feel every day. I'll quit yapping now. :)

I'm very sorry that you can't find Carleigh's beautiful flowers.

((hug))

Danielle said...

I'm so sorry Holly. I can't imagine how frustrated you must be. Carleigh knows the love and care you put into the flower arrangement,... maybe the arrangement is gone because she took it to play with :) At least, it's a nice thought anyways (((Hugs)))

Nicole said...

Im so sorry about the flower arrangement and the birthday balloon. I would be sad and angry too!

Shannon said...

I'd hate to think that someone took them. That would be a completely heartless thing to do. I'm so sorry, Holly.

Monica said...

I'm so sorry Holly, you pick them with so much love, I hate it that there gone, as if we need to grieve anything else, big hugs!

Sarita Boyette said...

It is heartbreaking,I know.I am so sorry that it happened to you. Meredith's flowers have disappeared several times, and lots of her flowers were stolen after the funeral.That left me with a cold feeling. Several years ago, vandals pulled her vase off, but we got it fixed.They desecrated several graves that day.It is such a sad feeling to know something was taken from your baby.I'm truly sorry.xxxooo

Caroline said...

Holly , I'm so sorry that someone could do something like that. I know it happens and it is so not right. After my Father passed away we had items missing , things that we had there that meant something special to us. I remember a summer when they even took my Dad's flag that showed he was in the service I bought 3 flags and they took everyone of them.
Sending you some {{HUGS}}
Caroline

tomandcheryl said...

Holly (and everyone else this has happened to),
Call the office where your cemetary is. This happened at my nephews grave and my sister was so upset she called my dad crying. My dad knew exactly what had happened. The office removes things that are fake if they are there too long. Thankfully, they had just been removed that day so my sister was able to go get everything. But now she knows and the office understands that it's a baby's resting place and will call her before the remove and dispose of anything like that. So give it a try and see if this is your cemetary's policy also and maybe they'll be willing to work with you since it's a baby's site.
~Cheryl

Courtney said...

I can't tell you how many times that has happened to us and every single time it happens it breaks my heart. Sadly we have stopped taking stuff out to the cemetery when we visit.

I'm so incredibly sorry that her flowers aren't there anymore. *hugs*

Debbie said...

That is awful! I'm sorry that happened. Amy Louise's comment was so sweet I cried. ~Debbie

The McDaniel 3 said...

Holly, how devastating. I would be just as upset as you are. *((hugs))*

Unknown said...

Holly,
We did something even worse than taking the flowers back...... I can't believe I am admitting this, but my mom and I went for a walk and "accidentally" dropped weed poison on them. Lets just say they didn't stay in her yard too long. We weren't going to go through the trouble of trying to transplant them. They probably would have died anyway.

I'm really embarrassed to admit it, because I'm really not that kind of person. I would almost rather someone take something from my home than off one of my relative graves. You just don't do that!

Lori said...

I hate that feeling for you...it's sort of insult to injury.
Lifting you up always! xoxo

Christie said...

So sorry for this happening and hoping that there is not a person out there who would take some beautiful flowers out of a little angel's vase. Hugs for you.

Mom Putnam said...

call the cemetary people and ask them, then you will know for sure and about the policy. i know it was like that for grandpa putnams plot and they threw out my wreath b/c I didnt get over and get it during the time frame.

brigette said...

Im very sorry to hear that!! I am sure it is so frustrating!!!! Why do people do that. It boils my blood when it happens!! I know Carleigh saw them and knows how much thought you put into them!! Sending hugs

Jill said...

How awful. I am sorry! You are so right, they are more than just flowers. xo

Shandrea said...

Sending you hugs, I hate that happened.

Cecilia said...

I'm so sorry, that would upset me too!

Mackenzie's Mommy said...

I can imagine how upsetting that could be! :( I too spend lots of time picking out & arranging Mackenzie's flowers. I also spend a lot of time cleaning her headstone & decorating around it. I'm hoping no one took Carleigh's flowers...but like you, I can imagine they'd blow out. It takes me a long time to pull mackenzie's out of her vase. I hope they turn up. xoxo

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Oh Holly that is so sad. I have heard some stories from other mothers and I hate to think that people can be that cruel. ((HUGS))

Mother Knows Best Reviews said...

I am so sorry to hear that. :( what an awful thing to do, if someone took them. Hugs to you.

cheryl said...

I'm sorry that happened to you. The same thing happened to my SIL, she went into preterm labor at 22/23 wks and her lil girl died shortly after. She went out to the grave and someone had stolen the angel and flowers she put out for Marissa. I would be angry too.

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Oh...I am so sorry...I know that those things are more than just flowers. They are a way of mothering your sweet girl. When I used to visit the cemetary more often, that happened to us, too. And, it was so hurtful.

=(

Love and prayers for you...

Mary said...

We have had a similar problem Holly. Everything we put out disapears, and we know it isn't the cemetary, because the graves around us still have their stuff. It is so hurtful, and infuriating!

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