Day #5: Memorial
We have so many things we have done that could be considered a memorial but today I decided to use the place where friends and family go to visit Clara…her spot in the cemetery. It is such a beautiful location surrounded by a heart shaped hedge. She is surrounded by other babies so in a way it gives a sense of “she is not alone”.
We were blessed to have her memorial donated by our local exchange club. I admire any group that donates things like this to grieving families. Until Clara’s passing I never really read any life insurance policies…apparently our old insurance agency didn’t think a child’s life is worth more than $200 until they turn 6 months then they are worth whatever you insure them for. $200 doesn’t cover anything!! Not only that but in South Dakota it cost $75 to get a copy of a certified death certificate that is required for the insurance company to pay out. Felt like a low blow to think some company thought my baby’s life was worth so little.
Shortly after Clara passed Damon and Mason came home from a weekend visit with their dad. They told Chris and I that their Uncle Aaron, who works at the cemetery, was sad because he had to bury Clara. Sadly he had to place the dirt and sod over his little nephews sister. Years later this still brings tears to my eyes, I can’t imagine having to do that. Just this year, when the cemetery cleaned up the baby area and removed any of the “pretties” from the grass surrounding the graves, we thought all was lost. All that was there was a plague and flower. I cried, I don’t know why I became attached to these “things”, I just do. A few weeks later the boys wanted to visit their sister so we stopped out. Their Uncle Aaron saw us there and said he has been hoping to see us, he saved the items from her area! We are so blessed to have someone at the cemetery watching over her and keeping her “pretties” safe 🙂 It has taught me that 2 sides of a divorced family can treat each other with respect, compassion, and love!
