“Live, Love, Laugh”
♥
While stopping by a local farmers market I happened to notice a shaded area up the road in a quiet grove with a single bench. Something prompted me to take a minute and sit down to overlook the nice view of the Virginia skyline. There was a mild breeze in the air that was a pleasant relief from the hot, humid weather we’d been having. I found myself meditating and settling into the moment of peaceful escape.
When I got up to leave I noticed a sign in the shape of a heart stuck in garden behind the bench. ~”Sit and Share a Smile in Loving Memory of Sydney Aichs”~
I had heard the name before and remembered that the high school student had been tragically killed when a tractor trailer ran a red light and slammed into her car as she was pulling out onto the main roadway on her way to school.
♥ ♥ ♥
I found it such a peaceful spot to just sit and look out over the soccer field where Sydney played soccer when in middle school. I thought of what a loving family and community she had to create this memorial place for her. What a wonderful way to keep her memory alive! Here I was, a person who had never met her, thinking about her and how her life was cut short and all her dreams would never be realized.
Now, whenever I’m in that area, I stop by to just be with her spirit and experience the calm and peace that comes from being there.
Sydney lived by the motto “Live, Love, Laugh’.
Something each one of us can do in her memory.
♥
That’s beautiful and I am sure the family would be proud to know you enjoy the peace in her honor.
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I was wondering myself how many stop by. It’s such a beautiful idea. They have different fundraisers in her honor at the soccer field so I imagine quite a few.
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Hi, dropping in from the A-Z Road Trip 🙂 And what a poignant post to land on, lovely idea for the family to have somewhere to just rest and remember.
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Thanks for stopping by! I have to go on another A-Z Road Trip myself. Great bunch of bloggers! 🙂
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Some people touch our lives in ways that are unexpected. Thank you for this story because now she has touched our lives as well ❤
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That’s beautiful, Joanne! I agree. She’s touched our lives. 🙂
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A very heart-warming post. I will think of it whenever I see something like that…
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Thank you, Calen. 🙂
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That’s a tragic but beautiful memory. Thanks for sharing.
Love,
Janie
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It happened eight years ago and you can see that the memorial garden is still lovingly cared for. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your experience and the story. Such a lovely spot overlooking the greens. Beautiful. If I were you, I would have too sat there. 🙂
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Glad you stopped by, Parul! I thought it was a wonderful way to remember a loved one. 🙂
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A lovely story. It’s good to pause during the day and take a moment to be grateful don’t you think? Thankyou for sharing 🙂
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We’re not guaranteed even the next moment, Nicky. Life is such a gift! 🙂
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