Yes, I kept my placenta (Part II)

You may remember my post almost a year ago discussing our choice to keep my placenta and what we did with it. If you don't remember, click here (if you're squeamish, don't click the link.) Well, aside from making (what I think is) beautiful art with the placenta, we also chose to plant the placenta.

All who know me know that trees are among one of my favorite things. I'm even a card-carrying member of the Arborday Foundation; I donate to their organization every year and I have purchased several trees/plants/bushes from them. When I was still pregnant with Toby I decided I would plant his birth month tree; which ended up being a Hawthorn (month of May.) So, I placed the order with Arborday hoping to have a sweet Hawthorn tree delivered to me. Unfortunately, due to the climate here in New England, by the time I had Toby I missed the shipping deadline by a few weeks.

So, into the freezer the placenta went. Now, the Arborday Foundation ships this particular tree two times per year; spring and fall. I had the choice of planting this tree last fall but, I called and elected a delayed shipping because I really wanted to plant it in May. A few weeks ago, our little Hawthorn arrived just in time.

Five days after Toby was born, my Pepe passed away. Pepe was, arguably, the single most influential and important person in my life. I miss him incredibly. In my heart, I'd like to believe Pepe waited until after Toby was born to leave this world. I think he knew it was probably the only way I would have been "okay." I can't describe the pure joy of having a new baby, mixed with the utter devastation of losing someone so important. It was the most precious and heartbreaking time of my life. But, my sweet little boy mended my broken heart.

Many of my best childhood memories take place at "camp" in Maine. I spent many a summer day just hanging out at camp with Pepe. Even going there last summer as a new Mom, yet still mourning the loss of my grandfather, provided me immense comfort. Camp is, and has always been, the place I go to center myself. I take such solace in being in a place that meant so much to my Pepe; a place he built with his hands. Therefore, it just made sense to me that I would plant my placenta in Maine.

Coincidentally this year, because of the way Memorial Day weekend fell, I was at camp exactly between Toby's birthday and the day Pepe passed away. So, on the 26th of May, we planted Toby's Hawthorn tree, known for its flowers and berries that attract songbirds, along with Toby's placenta. I love knowing that the very placenta that nourished my son will nourish this tree as well. I also take such comfort in knowing this tree will grow, big and strong, at one of the only places that I feel completely at ease.

We spend a great deal of time at Camp throughout the year. However, every Memorial Day, Aaron, Toby and I will take time to acknowledge his tree; its roots firm in the very ground that supported me while I grew up. Every year we will take a picture of him by is tree as we watch the two grow, nourished by the same placenta and grounded by the same piece of land that I have always gravitated to.

Pepe would be so pleased.