Make A Wish Foundation and Chapel Valley Plans for Ava's Garden
Christmas 2008 has been an exceptional blessing for Ava. Our Lord and good people on this earth continue to shower her with gifts that will be remembered for years to come.
The good people of the Mid-Atlantic Make a Wish Foundation and the Chapel Valley Landscape Company made a wish come true for Ava that is truly astounding. To the left is the plan they came up with.
Anyone who has visited our house knows about “the path” — a path made of many shaped Pennsylvania Blue flagstones installed many years ago by the house’s previous owners. Over the years, the flagstones became extremely uneven and basically formed an obstacle course for even the most surefooted among us. At one point, the flagstones even sank into a ditch-like area leading to the driveway.
For Ava, the flagstones meant a bumpy-ride at best. At worst, they prevented her from going from the driveway to the backyard, or the driveway to the front door of the house. During Halloween, Ava had to wait in the driveway as all the other children visited her own front door to get candy; Mommy had to come down the darkened path to give Ava a treat.
That set up the wish: a level path around the house that Ava could travel in her powerchair, allowing her to go round and round like any other child might.
The Mid-Atlantic Make a Wish Foundation and the Chapel Valley Landscape Company were up to the task. After meeting with us and surveying the scope of what was needed, they returned with a plan that literally left the family in tears.
First, all of the flagstones would be dug up, the path widened, deepened, and leveled. Next, crushed stone would be laid and packed, then topped off with a beautiful packed pebblestone to form a path around the entire house.
Then came the lagniappe as we would say in Louisiana — to the left of the house, the path would divert off to an unused part of backyard and into a small, round landscaped flower garden, just for Ava. It was a plan that seem great in concept. And after much work by Chapel Valley, the dust settled, and the plan became a wish granted.
Ava now has a beautiful, wide gravel path around the entire house, allowing her to finally get to the front door, the patio, virtually anywhere on our lot.
And she also has a beautiful, bamboo-surrounded garden with a lattice-framework, A-frame vine covered flower box area for her to go through. Other flowering plants and ferns were planted around the garden, awaiting the warmth of the spring to burst forth.
It is indeed a wish come true. And though thanks seem little in comparison, we do heartily thank the Make A Wish Foundation and Chapel Valley Landscape Company. They have given Ava access to her house. And to her garden. May God abundantly bless all those involved in making this wish come true!
Below is a video of Ava riding along her path and Garden for the first time!
Hack
1December 29th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I am so excited about Ava’s Garden! I am sure she has already put quite a few laps in! I can’t believe it has been almost a year since I got to meet both of you at the MDA HeartSongs Gala and I held Ava for a little nap while Tony Danza sang her to sleep! I miss you guys and am so happy that things are going so wonderfully for you! If you are ever in Tennessee, please be sure to come see me!
Much love and blessings in the New Year,
Michaele Butler
2December 29th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Wow, Randy & Anja. That is an amazing gift from Chapel Valley and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. That truly is a blessing. You guys have an excellent network of friends, family & colleagues for support. Ava looks like she’s really enjoying the path, running laps around you! Hopefully, one day we’ll be able to get out there and meet Ava in person, and walk with her in her garden.
Health and Happiness to you all in the New Year,
Rick and Jan Cook
3December 29th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Dear Ava!!!
“HAPPY TRAILS”
Great story!!!!
4December 29th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
What a wonderful treat for Ava!! She will see so many changes as each season comes with the variety of plantings. What a great gift for a special little girl with the most wonderful parents.
We certainly enjoyed caroling with all of you recently. What a fun experience and a future tradition. Ava did a great job singing!
With much love,
The Turner Family
5December 30th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Dear Anya & Randy,
Congratulations to you and Ava on her beautiful new garden and path !
Watching the video made me feel a part of the excitement and joy that
Ava was obviously feeling on her first ride down her new path.
It was as though she was experiencing true freedom for the first time.
I love her beautiful spirit. She is an inspiration to all who know her !
If you’d like any tulips planted in the flower boxes, I could come over
and plant them . As it is, I am still putting them in my garden ( Daffodis, muscari, and
hyacinths, too), and will share my supply with Ava.
Spring is only a few months away—YAY !!
Happy 2009 to your beautiful family !
Hugs,
Trish
6December 30th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
How exciting for Ava! Just wait until spring and warm weather! She will be able to watch the growth of the flowers and plants each time she ventures out. How wonderful for her to be able to feel a sense of independence and freedom as she scoots around on her path. She might even like a toy stop sign or other toy street signs as she travels on her pretend journeys!
Yaaay for Ava, Anya and Randy! Smiles and hugs to all.
xo Julie
7January 15th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Hello, I`m Jan Buczkowski from Poland. It`s my daughter Anna Buczkowska from Chapel Valley who`s maked this project for Ava. I`m so proud of her. Congratulations for Ava and parents and for Chapel Valley Lanscape Company and Make-A-Wish Foundation. This is beautiful idea. Greetings from Poland to all of You. Jan Buczkowski
8January 15th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Hi. I’m Ann’s brother and I’m very proud that finally Ava can be happy in her dream’s garden.
Beautiful project, great initiative.
))
I’m also designer and I know that the best price for your work is smile on your client’s face.
greets from POLAND