1 Year Later

Bill Valentine's life changed forever when his daughter, Christina, committed suicide in 2014. A year later, after receiving a grant from the Where Angels Play Foundation, he unveiled his pursuit of peace... The Jackson Garden of Hope. Similar to the way Stephanie's affinity to butterflies guided the creation of the Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation, Christina's father found inspiration in her simple tattoo, an anchor with the single word, "HOPE". The park itself is in the shape of an anchor. Upon entering, you are met with three flags on huge flagpoles and a plaque displayed on a carved granite stone stating, "GARDEN OF HOPE". Three gazebos furnish the park, two at each palm and one at the crown. Each gazebo floor is lined with individual stones memorializing loved ones lost. Many are still blank, but those with names and dates are adorned with photos, coins, flowers, angels and other trinkets that mean something special to those who suffer from their loss. Just outside, there are large granite stones displaying cameo photos, assigning faces to the engraved names. At the crown, the third gazebo stands with a sign in the center, navigating those in need, to resources for help. When I first drove up, I wasn't sure what to expect or how it would make me feel. Surprisingly, I quickly found myself at ease. The personalization of each memorial brings life to the garden. The photos compiled together made their existence very real, quite a different experience from visiting a cemetery or mausoleum. The Garden of Hope is much more of a place of appreciation and of love than it is of loss. It actually feels hopeful. There are fir trees decorated with ornaments, a gesture signifying that even after death, the normalcy of everyday life continues. Seasons and holidays still come, but here, it feels safe to celebrate each new day with our loved ones lost. It's hard to put into words what Mr. Valentine has accomplished. The Garden of Hope is a place of peace. Even standing by myself, I did not feel alone. Each picture represented not only a person, but a family who, on some level, is just like mine. In some ways, they have gone through the same things I have. They visit here for many of the same reasons. And, for each blank space, we all realize that there are others yet to come. It was with that thought that I felt the overwhelming desire to welcome them with a hug and the reassurance that there is still hope. Hope is what will keep them going even when they don't want to. Hope is what will help them find their way forward when their pain just wants them to go back. It is hope that can help them find forgiveness and acceptance. It's hope that this life and beyond has more to offer. It is the hope no one is really gone forever and that we all will one day meet again. The Parze family is extremely grateful that Stephanie has been included in the garden. She continues to live on and I would not be surprised at all if, on my next visit, I was accompanied by butterflies and maybe even a rainbow. Our hearts and appreciation go out to the Valentine family and all of the families who have had a loved one inducted into The Garden of Hope. The Garden of Hope is located at 334 Jackson Mills Road, Jackson, NJ 08527 You can join their group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/JacksonsGardenofHope For more photos from the Garden of Hope, see our Gallery page.

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." - Maya Angelou October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It's no coincidence that the Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation chose this month to kick off one of our biggest events, the 1st Annual 5K Butterfly Color Run/Walk. Stephanie loved art. She loved color. She loved butterflies. When we sat down and brainstormed event ideas, the idea of a color run seemed so fitting. If you look back at the images from previous events, rainbows have appeared out of, what seemed at the time, virtually nowhere. Her life, her vibrance, her passion and her beauty always seems to manifest in an array of colors. If you are reading this blog post, something, somehow, brought you to us. The Parze Family and The Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation would love to see all of you. While this event is a fundraiser, it's true purpose is to give us another opportunity to meet our supporters and allow all of you to connect with us and feel what it is like to be part of the colors of Stephanie's life. Please, join us! We are confident that it is going to be an event to remember.