The co-founder of From War to Peace, Sandee Bailey Gardebring Ogren, died on July 20, 2010, exactly a year ago. Sandee loved many people, and was well loved in return. She loved to sit in her garden amongst her friends and family, at home with her flowers, enjoying their scent and beauty, at peace with her world.
On the day of Sandee’s funeral we planted a Bruggmansia in our backyard in San Luis Obispo, California in her honor. It was a tree grown from seed by her father in law, Buddy Ogren, who preceded Sandee in death on Christmas day in 2008. Sandee and Buddy were each remarkable people, full of life and fun and love. And they loved each other immeasurably.
The tree was only 3 feet tall and spindly when we put her in the ground last year. We nourished her with a good bit of Sandee’s ashes, watered her well, and sent her on her way. The common name of Bruggmansia is “Angel’s Trumpet,” a wonderful huge flower full of delightful scent, particularly at dusk and in the evening. I told those that were here that day that when Sandee’s plant flowered, she would be trumpeting out her love for each of us.
Well, it’s almost a year now, and Sandee is shouting out her love, and, just as in her life, she’s doing it in abundance, style and beauty. So here’s Sandee a year later. She seems to be doing just fine.
Peace!
Paul Ogren
