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
