children’s book garden

A Garden Close to My Heart Celebrates Ten Years. Hint: Frankie Lives on Here.

I remember how nervous I was sending a copy of my children’s book, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, to the founder, Sandy, asking if there was a possibility Frankie’s book could be included in Bookworm Gardens as it was just getting off the ground of being built.

I remember how I was overjoyed when she said that of course, she wanted to include Frankie.

I remember watching as John took great pride in building this dog house to represent Frankie and her book.

I remember how joyously overwhelmed I felt in gratitude to my mom and her husband and a special foundation that funded the effort for Frankie to have a spot in the gardens.

I still remember like it was yesterday as I watched John and a friend wheel Frankie’s house down a path paved in brick to a permanent spot in this children’s garden in Sheboygan, Wisconsin called Bookwork Gardens.

This spring Bookworm Gardens will celebrate their tenth year. It was two years after the installation of Frankie’s special place in the garden that she would pass away.

I remember it was a month later that I mustered up the courage to go visit her in the gardens and my mom went with me. I’d never hold that sweet girl in my arms again. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw the replica of her again since she’d been gone.

It was mixed with sadness, the uncertainty of what the next leg of my journey would be without her, and a deep sense of honor that she lives on in the garden. And the ache of grief was still acute at that point and I wondered how I’d go on without her.

Now learning it has been ten years since Bookworm Gardens came to be, I’m marveling at how far I have come.

It was Frankie who instilled in me a confidence I didn’t have before she came into my life and then became paralyzed. She brought me out of my introverted shell as we visited over 400 schools and libraries sharing her story and becoming a therapy dog team logging a combined 250 visits to a senior assisted facility, a local hospice, and a local hospital.

My world and my perspective on life expanded beyond anything I could have imagined because of the journey I took with this very special wheelie dog.

And I’m reminded all over again as I move through a myriad of memories that I feel so honored to permanently have this as part of my heart.

If you are in the Sheboygan, WI area or planning a visit here is the 2020 schedule of events for this special garden, which by the way, is free of charge to visit.

And if you go, please give Frankie a squeeze for me.  😉

xo,

Barbara

Then…and Now.

frankie and cole 20 months eCole was just 20 months old when he began visiting Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dogs statue at Bookworm Gardens.

It has now become a tradition that he visits there every year and has his picture taken with Frankie.

Now five years old, this is his picture with Frankie taken recently.

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What a gift it is to me to know that Frankie continues to inspire even though she is no longer physically here. For all the days I cried for the loss of her, I now rejoice in the joy that she left behind and the many generations she will continue to have a positive impact on.

I’m so grateful when someone shares a photo of a little one with Frankie’s likeness, like Cole’s mom, Ann did on my Facebook page. It is a reminder of all the blessings Frankie was, and will always be.

If you are new to my blog, you can learn more about Frankie through the books I’ve written about her.

Fundraiser for Bookworm Gardens & The Frankie Wheelchair Fund

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On May 4th Joie and I will be leading a walk  in memory of my dear Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog whose legacy lives on in Bookworm Gardens— a children’s garden dedicated to literacy, nature, and bringing families together.

This is a special event called “Walk, Roll, and Read Day” to help celebrate the season opener for Bookworm Gardens, as well as the life of Frankie. Bookworm Gardens is free to the public to attend, so this fundraiser will help to keep it free to everyone visiting.

Bookworm Gardens has been so supportive of my work with Frankie and will be donating a portion of the proceeds raised on May 4th to the Frankie Wheelchair Fund. As you can imagine this makes my heart sing!

Joie and I are asking you to consider pledging us for our walk to help Bookworm Gardens and the Frankie Wheelchair Fund. Please don’t feel obligated. But if you have $1.00, $5.00, or $10  to spare we thank you for your pledge!

You can make a pledge below through your Paypal account or with a credit card (for credit card click on “Don’t have Paypal Account?” link which takes you to page to fill out name, etc.)

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Joie is training hard for the walk and roll event and in case you missed the video here it is again!