The idea for our first Hope Patch came as a remembrance garden. My wife's uncle Don had just passed away. Don was a welder and one of his last gifts to us was a large, sturdy iron shepherd's crook that would hold a flower basket. That following November, to celebrate All Soul's Day at our parish, the staff distributed tulip bulbs with a note encouraging us to plant that bulb and believe that new life was on the way to our beloved dead.

The Hope Patch as a remembrance garden was born. We cleared a small portion of land in our backyard and pounded the shepherd's crook into the ground. Then, at the base of the staff, we planted the tulip bulb. Later, we created a garden sign with the words, "Hope Patch" and hung it over the small garden. We added more tulip bulbs that fall and in the spring, we added petunias, impatiens, and begonias. Every year we add to the Hope Patch, remembering Don and all of our loved ones.

Now is this idea appealing to you? Do you have a family member, a friend, or a pet that you miss or are grieving? If so, you may wish to consider creating a Hope Patch as a remembrance garden. Here are five things to consider:

1. Choose to plant flowers and colors that were favorites of your family or friend. If he or she loved roses, plant one or more rose bushes. If bright orange was the favorite color, plant orange tulips, dahlias and tiger lilies.

2. Get a customized garden memorial stone with the name of your beloved. Or choose one with a comforting verse that will inspire you with hope whenever you see or read it.

3. Position your Hope Patch so that you see it easily every day. Don't tuck it on the far side of a house or the back of the lot where you can't see it. A Hope Patch is made to be seen by you'and others.

4. Tell others about your Hope Patch. Let them know about your hope for a better future for those who have passed on. Hope is contagious and healing'make sure that another person "catches" it.

5. Add to your Hope Patch every year. This may include new statues, more flowers, a bush and other things to enlarge the impact of your garden. Real hope grows as it is exercised. Commit to making your Hope Patch grow and you will be amazed how much it will mean to you.

Remember, a Hope Patch is not just for those who have passed on'it is for you to hold them in your memory and imagine they are in a better place. Creating a remembrance garden as a Hope Patch is a life giving activity for you.