In day-to-day life, when it can be difficult to find time to reflect, something concrete can facilitate meditation. Conversely, there are times when thoughts seem to continually return to a particular person or event and focus is welcome. A traditional way to accomplish both goals is to create a memorial. Marie Braby, whose husband John was an esteemed community member, family man and Olympic Torchbearer this past winter, created memorial in his honour in her back garden. Mr. Braby passed away in February.?     It took some time for Marie to come to the idea. While she was interested in flowers, her husband had always kept a vegetable patch. She doesn’t know how to grow vegetables and wasn’t sure if she should replant the space with something new or leave it as it was. For a time she left the question alone – and then she had a flash of inspiration. Maybe she could plant some of John’s favourite flowers in the space; perhaps there were plants with military sounding names. Though there were several appropriate choices the idea didn’t seem a perfect fit.?     As often happens, the answer came from a friendship. Betty Fretz of Floral and Hardy Gardens, a large in-person and mail-order nursery operating out of Moorefield and a family friend, suggested registering a day lily in John’s name. Neighbour Rob Hillis built a small wall at the back of Mr. Braby’s vegetable patch was. In early June, Marie and her neighbor Gail Donald visited Floral and Hardy Gardens. There were many different specimens available for naming. Some had bigger blooms, some had more frills but when Marie saw “John’s Torch” (one of John’s proudest moments was carrying the Olympic Torch, in December 2009 during the relay across Canada) she instantly knew it was the one. ?    “I picked out the day lily that suited me in memory of my ‘Golden Boy’,” Marie said, “a beautiful tall, straight, yellow-bloomed flower that reminded me of John, his nature, his love of the garden and his golden smile.” ?     In July, Marie returned to Floral and Hardy to pick up her plant. The registration process was simple and affordable, $50 for registration and $20 for each potted plant.  Once The Ontario Daylily Society determined the specimen and the name were unique Marie received a potted plant with two flans and a stainless steel name card. She purchased four additional plants for family members ?    “My plan is to add to my memory garden by adding a plant, perhaps a day lily, for members of my family who have passed away,” said Marie.  ?     Marie hosted a family memorial on Saturday, July 24. Her three children, Michelle Shorgan, Michael Braby and Ian Braby, their spouses and children were there. It was extremely special that Marie’s mother Francis was able to fly in from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, as she had been unable to attend John’s funeral.?     During the visit, the family went out onto Clarke Street and played road hockey, a tradition John set in place in previous years.
     “John loved getting the family together for a good ole game of road hockey,” Marie said. ?     Marie commissioned West Luther Township painter Christie Doraty, renowned for her work in watercolours, to paint the memorial garden.?     “It’s brilliant. I love it.  If my children are good they just may get a beautiful copy for Christmas,” Marie said.  “Time will tell.”