What an Amazing Day!

Today was Ashlie's Memorial Service at her school.  It went perfectly.  Although we had been having some thunderstorms and heavy rain, we just had a slight sprinkle during the service.  The school had planted a dogwood tree, donated by Masonic Lodge #19; planted pansies around it with a border; her physical therapist brought a beautiful flat faced rock; and the school nurse had a plaque made stating "In Memory of Ashlie Danielle ***** 2004 - 2011" and it was attached to the rock.  We also provided brightly colored balloons to each student in her classes, the staff, and for family.  At the count of three, they were released... the children giggled with delight and yelled "Yay Ashlie!  Yay Ashlie!"  It was perfect.  We stood watching them dance in the wind heading East, then they turned and headed South, which is the direction in which she is buried.  They also presented us with a birdhouse.  When some of the school staff visited our home after Ashlie passed away, they noticed all of my birds and birdhouses.  On the birdhouse, was every child's name and staff's names.  There were two of them.  One for us and one will hang her tree when it becomes big enough to support it.  We feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful school family.  They truly loved her, as did we.
Here is one version of the legend of the dogwood tree:  "At the time of Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this.  In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree:  "Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."
What an Amazing Day!!  Thank you God!!  (Also thank you for getting my oldest daughter, son-in-law, and grandbabies here safely!)
TaTa4Now