This is our VERY established, already here when we moved here dogwood tree that's in one of our front beds. It is coming out of the blooming stage, and is COVERED with flowers and leaves.
This is our dogwood tree that we planted in May of 2008. It was given to us by one of Matt's dad's coworkers after Gabe died. It has hardly any blooms left but is full and green.
And this poor, pitiful sight is the dogwood I refer to as Gabe's Tree. My siblings picked it out and planted it for me the weekend of Gabe's funeral. It is a sad little sight to see. But it is still alive. Jonah and I walked out there and prayed over it last week (when it looked even more bare than this).
And here it is up close. Right on the verge of blooming.
And it really makes me question why this little dogwood is SO far behind all the others? It was actually planted earlier than the other two non-established dogwoods in our yard. It has gotten the most attention and TLC. It has the prettiest shape and, good grief, we even looked up instructions on the Internet before planting as to how EXACTLY to plant it and how much to water it. Theoretically, it should be the best growing, most beautiful dogwood in all the land. So WHY is it lagging behind?
And I wonder if maybe, just maybe, it's not waiting until next week to bloom. Just in time for Gabe's Day. Maybe it's just God giving me a little gift to make me feel like Gabe is right here with us.
Maybe God has made this sweet little tree "late" completely on purpose. It really would not surprise me in the least. Come soon, Sweet Gabe. We can't wait to see your flowers.
