About 15 years ago, my in-laws moved to Findlay, Ohio. Shortly after relocating there from Southern Ohio, my mother-in-law Cheryl got connected with a group of ladies and they became quick friends. This group of ladies would meet about once a month and gave themselves the name "The JUGS" which stood for "Just Us Girls". One of the JUGS was their next door neighbor, Missy. These ladies have become very close and share life with each other, spur one another on towards godliness, and pray for each other. I'm so glad my mother-in-law has a group of friends like this!
When we found out about Luke's fatal condition, this group was quick to rally around Cheryl, and also reached out to Justin and I. They let us know how they were constantly praying for us, for Luke, and the whole family. They were there for Cheryl in this most difficult time, just as close friends should be.
After Luke passed away in January, Justin and I received a note written by Missy (one of the JUGS who lives in Marion, Ohio). The note stated that this group of ladies wanted to do something special for Luke, for us, and the family. They thought about sending flowers but knew they would die shortly after receiving them, so they had another idea. They wanted to purchase a tree and plant it somewhere in his honor. In his memory. They thought of my sister and brother-in-law's property in Marion. They knew the farmhouse and the acres surrounding it would be in the family always. They didn't want to plant it at my parents house or my in-law's house because they both would most likely not be there for the rest of their lives. If the houses were ever sold, we wouldn't have access to the tree anymore, and we didn't want that. With the tree being at the farm, we could enjoy it for years and years to come. The JUGS wanted Luke's future brothers or sisters and cousins to be able to climb the tree, sit under it, and enjoy it and think of our sweet Luke every time. What a great idea, huh?! Justin and I were so touched that they wanted to do this for us. What a great way to honor of boy. If Luke was to be like his father in anyway, he would've been a tree climber! Justin loved to climb things as a child, trees included.
So, as the cold winter months made their way out, and spring entered in, we set up a date to plant the tree. May 16th ~ what would have been Luke's 4 month birthday. We all hoped for good weather, but here in central Ohio, that's never a guarantee! As the day approached, we kept an eye on the weather, and guess what? Rainy. Oh well, we wanted to proceed anyway! A little rain wasn't going to keep us from planting this beautiful red maple tree.
Missy purchased the tree at Oakland Nursery and brought it up to Beth and Andy's farm a couple days before. The day of the planting, we got to the farm early and picked a good spot for it to go. Once everyone arrived, we headed outside in our rain boots and holding umbrellas, and began digging! Justin and Andy started the process. Others joined in to help dig; my Dad, Ethan, Will, Caleb. It was a group effort! The tree was planted successfully and looked beautiful! Missy suggested putting mulch around the base of the tree, so we did just that.
Justin and I are so excited to watch this beautiful maple tree grow and thrive, just as we dreamed that our son would. It grow to be very tall, Missy said. We can't wait to watch Luke's cousins, and his future brothers or sisters, Lord willing, climb his tree and think of him every time. We can't wait for it to grow big and be able to sit under its shade in the summertime and think of Luke.
To the JUGS, this sweet group of ladies, thank you. Thank you for thinking of us and for your willingness to honor Luke in this way. We will enjoy this tree for decades to come. Each and every time we see it we will think of our son and smile. We will remember his crooked little smile, his little stink eye, the sweet coo's he made, the way he gripped my finger tightly, the way he gazed into his daddy's eyes, the feel of his velvety soft skin, his wrinkled little feet and hands, his head full of dark wavy hair. A large tree to my symbolizes strength, and that's exactly what Luke was....strong. He lived almost 7 hours without kidneys and lungs that did not work. He's our boy. Our strong, tough, determined son who fought. He fought hard.
