Lillie Park

There is a park by church that we have passed a ton of times on Platt Rd. and I could never get over how beautiful it was even though it is in the middle of town. I've always wanted to stop there but never did. I think I mentioned this briefly before, maybe in the post about the day and days following your accident. One part of it has soccer fields and one is by what I have always thought of as a viaduct although I am not sure why because I don't know what that is. I guess I think that would be a man-made body of water.

Anyway, I was coming home from the hospital on Friday early evening which is the day you were pronounced dead. (I often think it was the day of your accident but I remember looking at articles online about you and those wouldn't have been online until Friday). I was alone and overwhelmed and exhausted. So I pulled into the parking lot and walked down the hill to a spot close to the water. There was a little sitting area where it's close to the water with a little gravel area and bench type seat made out of a railroad tie.

That day I sat and cried and cried and read the beautiful articles online on The Saline Post, watched the videos that had been posted, read some texts and Facebook posts that I hadn't had a chance to look at since Thursday, etc. That was the first time I had a chance to be alone with myself and with God and actually process what had happened in the past 24-36 hours. I felt your presence there too which was a comfort even in the midst of all that sorrow. It became a special place for me and I try to get here as often as I can (I am writing from here now).

I guess I told Margi about it because the next Saturday I think, she and Tracey came to get me to go for a walk and get something to drink. We came to the same park and walked down some trails behind it a little ways. We had no idea where we were and then we came near the highway which was a little scary. We were counting on Margi's wilderness skills to lead the way when we came upon a beautiful area with a larger pond and a dock/boardwalk thing across the whole thing. It was amazing! Once again. I couldn't believe it was so close to town. I was excited about this part of the park too and dragged the kids down one time, reluctantly on their part, to show them.

Anyway I am here at the boardwalk part today because someone had my other spot. I wanted to record that the kids told me recently that Jake likes this spot too because he brought them here as well. I would like to think that you lead us here as some people of the closest people to you where you can freely connect with us, although you can probably do that anywhere. Thank you for this! Love you!