a memorial succulent garden for my old friend

Last week, I lost my loyal companion of 13 years—a gentle golden retriever who grew up alongside my children and watched over our home through every season. The house feels emptier now, but as I sat on the porch, I remembered how she used to nap in the sun while I tended my flower beds. In her memory, I decided to create a small succulent garden using her favorite old dish. It’s a simple tribute, but every time I water those plump little leaves, I feel her presence nearby. My mother would have chosen roses or lilies—she always said a proper garden needed traditional blooms. But I’ve found comfort in these hardy, modern succulents that thrive even in our unpredictable Midwest weather. They remind me that love endures, even as times and tastes change. Some neighbors say my garden looks odd, that it doesn’t fit the classic style of our block. Others have stopped to share their own stories of loss and remembrance. Isn’t it strange how a single dish can stir up so many feelings—nostalgia, grief, even a little rebellion against what a garden "should" be? As summer storms roll in and the community debates what belongs in our yards, I find peace in my small, unconventional memorial. Maybe healing is about honoring the past while embracing the new, even if it ruffles a few feathers along the way. #succulentgarden #memorialgarden #petloss #Gardening