A little over a year ago
(Late Fall 2003), my wife and I lost our youngest daughter,
Devon, to a heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart
Syndrome. We sat here in pain trying to put our lives
together. One day (and I have no idea why this popped
in my head), I decided I was building a garden in her
honor.
I started telling people what I was planning and others
became inspired. Co-workers from around the country
came together and started sending me gift cards and
donations for me to build the garden. My sister, Kris
Lampert, who is a stay home mom, went and got a job
with a local nursery so she could get a little money
in her pocket and get plants at a discount.
The snow finally melted and the ground wasn't frozen
anymore. I cut out 4000 square feet of my backyard and
started to free form design with my sister. We ended
up planting over 90 different plants. Family and friends
donated more plants. I was truly amazed as my heart,
mind, and body healed over our tragedy as the garden
came to fruition. We kept the theme of the garden with
Purples and Pinks (Devon's favorite colors). I am looking
forward to the Spring and see the regrowth of what we
planted this year.
