Butterflies, Butterflies
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Butterflies, butterflies, we can never see enough of these beauties!
When our three children were small they loved to play in our very small backyard. They practically
mingled with the butterflies in such a small space.
"When you see butterflies flying around I will tell you to freeze," I said to them. Many times butterflies would land on their arms, shoulders and heads.
Sara, our twin granddaughter, has harvested Swallowtail butterflies here at our home for the last three years. They love to lay their eggs in the wild fennel. When handled during the caterpillar stage they give out a foul smell as a sign of self-defense.
~Joe C. Duran, volunteer casket builder
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| What the Garden Means to Me |
I was not sure what emotions I would feel when I attended Baby Kate's memorial service. Just the thought of abandoned babies made me extremely sad.
It was a beautiful day and much to my surprise I felt happy that I had come. I was met by genuine loving and caring volunteers whose hearts are all in the right place. I could immediately see that every detail was about baby Kate, not the volunteers and people like me that had come to share in celebrating her short time on this earth.
The Knights of Columbus, in their beautiful robes, escorted her into the garden to be passed from person to person in a circle of love. The service included words from the officiant, songs and a beautiful poem written just for her. We were all invited to put rose petals on top of her handmade casket. After which white doves were released and all the names of the babies buried in the garden were read. It was so moving.
Personally, I was so uplifted because I could see she was loved by a family that had come together just for her, no longer was she alone.
I am very grateful for the Garden of Innocence and all the volunteers who give from their hearts to see that the babies entrusted into their care are loved, respected and given the dignity that they deserve.
~Kathryn Harris-Soule, lead casket interior volunteer
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