I walked up the steps and found this bench, I LOVE butterflies! Grief is many things to me but I always have hope. When I see someone acting out or being a bad person, I think about what made them that way. I try to send them love and not take it personal. Today I am missing my Mom. We used to go to yard sales on Saturday morning to find a treasure someone else was done with. She was fun and so easy to be with. I miss her. I hope people see her in me. That would make me happy. Enjoy the sunshine today and tell someone you love them!

What a day and what a great place for a bench❤️ I’m so blessed to be here today. When we were driving into the park Jeanne said the benches was up on a hill and we were looking and we could actually see the butterfly from down on the road wow! We walked up the steps and right at the top here is this beautiful butterfly bench and the butterfly has a lot of meaning to me too. Because the reason we named the Mila Ruth bench the butterfly bench is because of my granddaughter that was born sleeping in 2018. Ever since Mila came and left this world I see butterflies all the time. I’m so blessed to have met Jeanie and Tony and help Jeanie realize her dream to putting a Bench Here at Mcdade for her dear sister Joann.

There are no accidents and this year old! 10 weeks ago I met Jeanie and Tony on a trip in Florida. From that point, through a casual conversation, we became friends thanks to Joanne! Today I stand here at the McDade Park for the dedication of Joannes bench. Now known as The Sisters Bench!
I admire Jeanie and Tony for seeing this through and getting this Bench placed.
The view is spectacular,
It is a great day!!!!!

Jeanie and I returned to the Sister’s Bench about an hour after the dedication.

When we arrived, there was a young woman crying, as she read through the journal. Her name is Tamara, and she said that she was not in a good place, and was drawn to McDade Park, although she hadn’t been there in years. Her birthday is Saturday.

She had her guitar, and we asked her if she would play a song. She offered a beautiful rendition of “Island in the Sun” by Weezer. We can imagine the location of the Sisters’ Bench, being just that, an Island in the Sun. Tamara also wrote a very personal and moving journal entry.

Happy Birthday, Tamara

We hope you find your Island in the Sun

Tony & Jeanie

Sisters Bench at McDade park . Wonderful day

I hope all moms are relaxing like a frog in a polka dot bikini in the sun today. Happy Mother’s Day!!!!

One sunny morning walking up the stairs at McDade park I saw this beautiful bench. What made it especially beautiful was it was a butterfly. My father passed away when I was young. I always would “see/sense” him as a butterfly months after so seeing this bench made my heart happy. Thank you so much for doing this! It’s such a great thing for us all to have. 💓

Wow, this is not what I thought would happen to me today. I was just out walking, enjoying the day and getting my legs moving. Those steps are intense! But then I sat here. Scanned the code and wow, just wow! I was thinking about my sister and how we aren’t close. Wish I was close like these ladies were. I wonder why, I don’t think I’m a bad person but she is just so judgmental and insecure i think. But even as kids we weren’t close. I think I’ll call her today. I guess I should be glad she is here to call. Thank you for this beautiful butterfly bench. You made my day!

It’s a beautiful night at McDade park.
Very peaceful sitting here on the bench I brought the 3rd Journal.. 4th book .
I am sitting here talking to Joann.
Thank You so much for The Bench project Beth and Len !
💕
Jeanie

Took a Sunday drive around Scranton and McDade Park and decided to take a walk up the hill of stairs. I found this beautiful butterfly bench at the top and sat down to take in the view. It was very peaceful and calming and reminded me to always take a step back and look around. Remember to live for today because you never know what tomorrow may bring. Life may be full of challenges and struggles, but the best is yet to come!