1 minute read
Porch Perfect
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How do you honor a woman who’s celebrated 108 birthdays and experienced more than many of us will in a lifetime? With a legacy that rocks, quite literally.
Louise Burkhalter is the quintessential Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park member—and one of our favorite people.
“Of all the beautiful spaces, my mother loves the Michigan’s Farm Garden most,” notes her daughter, Mary Peterson. “The porch, in particular, is her special spot. So it seemed only fitting to honor her with her very own rocking chair.”
Mary Peterson and Glen Peterson did just that. Louise now has a rocker bearing her name on the porch of the Lena Meijer Farmhouse. “My mother is truly a special person,” adds Mary. “We wanted to pay tribute to her while she was still with us. She loves to admire the flowers while rocking in her chair. I must admit, she looks just like she was meant to be there.”
The experience rekindles memories of Louise’s life as a young mother and wife, too. She and her husband of 65 years, Carl, lived on a farm with acreage, cattle, orchards, and a vegetable garden. “The Michigan’s Farm Garden brings my mom closer to that life she loved so very much,” Mary said with a smile. “She also feels a kindred connection to Lena Meijer—she loves that Lena’s childhood family farm had a barn and a windmill, too.”
Though Louise suffers from macular degeneration now, Mary notes she can still see contrast and recalls the charm of the changing landscape. “From our many visits in her younger years, she remembers her beloved perennials like sweet peas and Shasta daisies.”
Louise’s affection for flowers often sparks conversation with guests, too.
“We make precious memories with each visit. Spreading joy is one of my mother’s gifts to the world. If you see her rocking on the porch, pull up a chair. It’s a real treat.”
We couldn’t agree more.