On Thursday, October 12, the Tippecanoe County Historical Association planted a tree in my mother's honor on the Battlefield. What an honor that is! It is a national monument as well as a cemetery for those who died in The Battle of Tippecanoe.
Allen Nail, head groundskeeper for the TCHA came up with the idea and made it happen.
The tree is a beautiful burr oak, and if things go well, it should live 250-300 years!
We gathered around and he told us a little bit about the tree, then invited us to add mulch and water to the tree and then spend as much time there as we wished.
Rick and Ian began by adding some water.
And then we put out the mulch.
Aunt Jenny, Craig, Uncle Steve, and Curt. (I am still wondering what Curt said to make her burst out laughing!)
Ian and Mila watch Aunt Lisa shake out more mulch while Vanessa and Rick look on. I love how the tree is near the highway so we can drive by and see Mom's tree whenever we wish!
Uncle Steve takes a turn with the rake.
Now it's Ian's turn while Vanessa and Mila water the tree.
Mila is such a big help!
The kids LOVED those empty water jugs.
I hope to go out every October for the rest of my life and have my photo taken with the tree.
Craig and me.
Jenny, Leslie, me, Steve.
Of course, we had to do Steve's old "horse feet" move at him. He would drum his hands as though they were hooves and neigh at me when I was a child and DRIVE ME NUTS. Now, it is a wonderful family memory that makes us all laugh.
Mila, Vanessa, Curt, and Ian.
Lisa.
All done!
I love that there is a living memorial to my mother in a place that holds great meaning to her as well as to the rest of our family. And I hope this tree is important to future generations of our family as well.
