Memorial Plaques

After two months of waiting and a lot of money (thank you again to all of those who donated money to us and made it possible to get exactly what we wanted) Aaron and Noah's grave markers are in the house instead of at the head of their graves at the cemetery.

Instead of markers they both now have beautiful plaques as they were finally placed today, as well as Noah's headstone.   Kobe and I went up to see them this morning just after they had been placed, and then all of us went up after I picked up Harri from school (Jalen has been home sick for a few days).

We actually had a lovely offer from someone who said their family had a business of making plaques and they wanted to make both of them for us for no cost.  Unfortunately they weren't able to do the pictures how I wanted them (with the picture being etched into the plaque) so we had to go through a company called Arrow. 

One night while Aaron and I had some time alone  after Noah passed away, we walked around the cemetery for about an hour just looking at other people's plaques.  We came across a lovely plaque which had the pictures etched in and we both straight away knew that was how we wanted Noah's to be.  We wanted to get Noah's plaque done but didn't really have the money to do it straight away, so we had been putting it off.  Now I'm so glad that we didn't do it straight away as the wording that I chose changed after Aaron died too.  I'm also so glad that we both chose what kind we wanted together, because it was stressful enough having to do it myself.

It was surreal sitting in the office at the cemetery, going through the photos and wording that I wanted  on the plaques knowing that I was organising one for Noah and Aaron.  I had talked it over with the boys and let them help me decide what to put on each one.  While we were at the cemetery one day Harri spotted a Collingwood logo on another plaque. He straight away said 'Dad is having that, but it's going to be Hawthorn!'.  I laughed at the time and didn't think I would do it, but after thinking about it I realised that Aaron would actually love it and it meant a lot to Harri to have it on there, so we went with it.

We are really happy with how they both look.  It's nice to have them there, but also strange at the same time to see them at the head of their graves.

Even though Noah's grave is now grassed it has unfortunately sunken with all the rain.  Supposedly it is going to be fixed again soon, but I guess that means that we may have to put up with having dirt a bit longer.

Thank goodness for Kobe who always keeps the mood light.  He saw me taking photos with my phone and decided to pull out some dance moves for me.

Harri didn't like that Kobe was getting some attention, so he thought he'd join in.  Kobe then decided to put his arm around him for a nice brotherly photo, but Harri didn't want that and got cranky with him and told him to go away.   This was the result! Two sulky, cranky boys!

This is how things usually end up at the cemetery - not because they are sad about Aaron and Noah, but because they are boys and both of them are so stubborn and head strong and want their own way.  Harri cracked up tonight when he saw the photo.  It looks totally like it could be set up, but unfortunately it's just the way the boys are :) I'm sure Aaron and Noah were probably laughing at them and me telling them off as we were walking back to the car.

It is nice to finally have the plaques at their graves, but it's also another thing that is very bitter sweet as it's something you never ever wish you had to organise for your son or husband.