On the first anniversary of my brother’s death I visited the Wellington Botanical Gardens where he and I had left small footprints as children, visiting with our parents. And where in the mid 1970’s he left more footprints when he worked there as a gardener.
During my visit I wondered if perhaps had he stopped work and stood and enjoyed this view
Or perhaps he had rested in the summer heat under this Weeping Willow tree
Or trudged up this path amid the greenery
Or cut this long, steep, grassy bank.
And behind me as I took these photographs was A Field of Remembrance.
866 white crosses bearing the names of Wellingtonians who were casualties of WW1 between 1914-15.
This field is but one of many that have been established around our country to commemorate those who lost their lives.
In April of 2015–2018, part of Wellington Botanic Garden will become a place to reflect on and remember those who died World War I. Sited on Salamanca Lawn, towards Salamanca Road, the Fields of Remembrance will feature replica Flanders field poppies and 866 white crosses to commemorate the Wellingtonians who died in service in 1915. We’ve worked with the Fields of Remembrance Trust to make this event possible. 10–28 April.
Gallivanta in Christchurch has posted about visiting the one in her city.
A steady trickle of quiet, sombre, reflective visitors moved amongst the crosses and spent time with their own thoughts, feeling and memories.
ordinarygoodness 