I give up!! I can't get the other picture of the plaque on the stone. It is a low slanted black granite stone that the plaque is mounted on. I'm terrible with dimensions, but I would guess it's maybe 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall ?!?

I think if you walked thru another area of the cemetery and looked at what others did, maybe even in another one in town, that you would get a feeling for what you might like to do. I think soft and simplicity would be best. I have seen some with small shepherd hooks with small wind chimes that can be changed with the holiday and season that are nice. Maybe put a stone box by it so you could write notes and memories and place in side. Clean them out often.

Oh my...she was so young...How sad...Sorry....((((HUGS))))

patti

How nice of your cememtary to let you decorate her area. Our little cemetary does not. But how about a small arbor with pink climbing roses.
I feel for you we lost our grandson 4 years ago 0n July 23 2005, he was almost 20.

God Bless and send us a photo of what you decided to do.

Sylvia

I agree with Twomonths, something simple, maybe something meaningful to you and your daughter would be special. Good luck.

Cindy~

I am so sorry for your loss. Your daughter was so young. If the cemetery will allow, I would suggest planting a small tree like a japanese maple or even a rose of some type. Then, rather than plant the entire plot, you might want to keep it smaller up around the headstone. You could edge the bed with liriope and plant inside of that. You could even try planting a small evergreen (make sure it's a compact version) That way, you could decorate the tree seasonally if you chose to. I wish you the best.

Megsateennow I am so sorry for your loss.
How about pink Sweetheart Roses? Then maybe some blue lobelia (annual) in the summer. Or Chinese forget me nots as they are pretty drought tolerant. They are also annuals but they reseed pretty well.

I like the idea of the box to leave notes. It would give you a chance to leave her the things you are thinking and would like to say to her.

Dear Megsateennow,

I'm so sorry for your loss of such a beautiful daughter.
so young.

maybe a ring of alyssums ( i think they come in pink shades)
and in the center a blue salvia.

I will be doing white alyssum with a red salvia.

well, my husband will. i can't bear to go there.

I am hopeful that some day time will dull my pain.
thank you for giving a grieving mother hope.

What a lovely plaque! Megan is very beautiful. Seeing her picture makes knowing you lost her all the more sorrowful. I am so very sorry for your loss.

You know, it is hard to come up with ideas without knowing Megan so I went online to see if I could find anything and found your photo albums on Webshots. Boy, she was a pretty and vivacious girl and very artistic! I can fully understand why you want her place to be very, very special. I found the picture of her headstone, here it is ...

{{gwi:136075}}

I like nanagrandma's idea of the arbor. The stone looks almost black so I think a black metal arbor would be gorgeous with pink roses growing over her headstone. Maybe attach a mailbox to it for the messages like twomonths suggested. You could make color copies of some of her artwork and decoupage it on the mailbox. You could hang small things from the arbor like little angel ornaments, pictures of family and pets and windchimes (maybe a cow or two) too. Depending upon how much room you have for planting, you could even make glass totems on top of a bud vase placed over some rebar pounded into the ground. It could be made of pink and blue glass pieces. That way it would be off the ground and making it easier for grass cutting.

I think once you start putting things together, it will give you greater comfort knowing you are keeping her memory alive and staying close to her. Just spending time with her, planting flowers, will help. I really like your idea of making her place something special and uniquely hers.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughtfulness and sympathy. The reason it took me so long to get the stone in there was I had to find JUST the right stone for her - she was very unique. I watch other cemeteries, yards, etc. all the time to try to get ideas. Just haven't found what I want yet - I think I'll know it when I see it or hear it. lol It's tough to live up to Meg's uniqueness. lol Cindy (megsateennow@aol.com)

Megsateennow, I am so sorry about the loss of your daughter.
I am sure you will find what you want to do the gravesite. May God be with you.

AuntYara, I am also sorry for the loss of your son.
May God's angels be with you and help you to cope.
What you plan sounds pretty to me.
I read your 'page'.

How about a stepping stone, filled with things that represent the things that she liked or were important to her?

For instance if she enjoyed shopping, then you could use Barbie clothes to imprint the stone then paint them. If she liked jewelry, put in some costume jewelry. If she enjoyed the outdoors you could use moss and stones. If she was into sports you could use mini balls and etc.

Cindy, and AuntYara, my heart absolutely breaks for both of you.
I think your plans, Cindy, to make her grave a special place, sounds wonderful. It will help you heal, and I think she would love whatever you choose to do.

AuntYara, I read your mypage too. If you stay here with us, don't feel that your pain would drive us off. Please come over to the Conversations side of the Forum where we talk about our personal lives. We share joys and sorrows, tears and prayers abound there at times. The caring and support has seen a number of us thru some very dark times.
It might help you, sometimes talking to strangers is easier and then you find they've suddenly become friends.
This Forum is a blessing to many of us. And you are not alone in your pain, which sometimes helps to know.

I can't imagine losing a child, tho I came very close to doing so. Lean on others when you can.

hugs, Karen

Cindy, I'm so sorry about the loss of your lovely daughter. I like the ideas in the posts, and I think that the thyme will be very nice.
Other plant ideas: I have noticed that creeping phlox often thrives in cemeteries, as long as it blooms before lawn mowing time which I think it would in Maine. Some types are lower growing than others.
There are spring bulbs which will naturalize in grass. One of my favorites is chionodoxa (which may be a type of squill or scilla). They bloom and go by before mowing time as well (except maybe for super fertilized lawns) I am posting a link to some. Mine are all blue, but I think they come in pink and white as well.
Be sure to post pics as you progress with your plans.
kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa)

Megsateennow and Auntyara- I'm so sorry for your loss. I think a memory garden is a great idea. I made one for my mom and dad just last fall. It's still in the beginning stages. I went to their house and dug some bulbs last fall and planted them at my house. I know that isn't something you can do but I like the idea of using her favorite colors for the flowers and the suggestions of using her favorite things.
Luna - it was so nice of you to help Cindy by taking the time to search the web for her photo's. You are an angel in disguise. Colleen

Everyone has such wonderful ideas for you, megsateen...whichever you use will certainly be an honor for your daughter's resting place. May you find peace and understanding as you meet this challenge...your LOVE is already shining through!

auntyara...your flowers sound wonderful...God bless. Jeanne S.