Gary’s Memory Bench
Gary’s Memory Bench
I think it’s fair to say this first year without Gary has been rough on everyone. For the first few months after Gary passed away Rachel seemed to be carrying on with a level of energy I’d not seen in her for a while and with a bit of support, she’s starting to come to terms with it and has been expressing herself a little more, with happier memories becoming more prominent than those from when he was ill.
On our latest visit to the hall, she’s got a project in mind and wants a bit of help to make it happen. We’re going to build a small seat at the front, which is usually a bit of a sun-trap, to sit and just remember.
It took a few attempts but while the kids are busy making rock sculptures in the stream, we eventually managed to build something sturdy from one of the old roof slates and some stone from the rear wall. Rachel is happy, the seat looks really nice against the restored stone wall and we even have enough stone left over to make a little rockery to plant behind.
Gary was a keen walker and cyclist, so hopefully it will give anyone passing, somewhere to just have a minute and take in the view.
It’s going to carry on being weird for some time but at least now, Rachel has somewhere she can go to just remember happier times.