Mother and I discovered the bench while on an adventure to the Heinz Walkway in 2020. Shaded by seven “immense cottonwood trees” alongside Lake Macatawa, the bench became one of our favorite destinations. Mother wrote a poem about it titled “Peace and Tranquility.” We called the area Cottonwood Corner.
Several cottonwoods began showing signs of disease and in 2023, the city of Holland took a chainsaw to all seven. We were crushed. With the financial support and encouragement of people across Michigan, we persuaded the city to plant replacement trees. Shaded benches, we explained, were essential to making nature accessible to seniors. They planted three small maples in 2024, too small to shade the bench in our lifetime but, hopefully, would offer shade to future generations.
Last week, I discovered two of the three trees gone. The bench, like most others on the south side of the lake, was now the recipient of the blazing light and heat of the afternoon sun.
I kept walking.
Mother and I believed our outdoor adventures enriched our relationship. They enhanced her quality of life and helped keep “her wits about her” on most days—right up until she passed in July of last year at age ninety-eight. She and I made a promise to use the proceeds from the sale of our book, Miracle Within Small Things, and fees from presentations to provide shaded benches for seniors in Michigan communities. Many of you donated money to make our vision reality.
But how?
What we need are township, city, county, or state park officials interested in working with us to add and maintain trees and senior-friendly benches along paved paths so access to nature is easier, safer, more enjoyable for Michigan seniors. And their families.
Do you know anyone who might help?
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