Sit and stay for awhile

Darcy’s memorial bench has finally been installed in St. Luke’s Garden in Chelsea – just off the King’s Road.

The text on the bench comes from a longer quote – “I loved you everyday of your life. I will miss you everyday for the rest of my life.”

But there wasn’t enough space for both lines so it was shortened to:

The pawprint on the bench is Darcy’s – taken from a stamp Mum had made for children who wanted Darcy’s pawtograph.

So whenever you’re passing by in Chelsea, and have some time, turn off the busy King’s Road and walk down a less trodden path to St. Luke’s Garden. Come and sit, and stay for awhile. I’m sure Darcy would like to hear the stories about your own great loves. Tell her about the times when you’ve met. And if you’ve never met while she was on this earth, tell her something about yourself. I am sure she would love it if you can sit and stay awhile.

May’s comment: There aren’t any more memorial benches made available in Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park where we frequented. But St. Luke’s Garden was a very good option – on full of memories. It’s a garden we had visited since she was a pup. Particularly, in the spring and summer months after walking along the busy Kings Road, we would wander off to the quieter Sydney Street to buy a gelato at the Farmer’s Market before heading over to the garden. Or to wait for Sasha when he finished Summer Camp. We would sit and watched the world at play …

There’s something special about benches, especially in the park. It’s simplicity in existence is an invitation to sit and take in what is around you. It is used within society and often in films as a meeting place. It is also a place to sit and talk. In the After Life Netflix series most of the conversations about mental health, life and death takes place on a bench in the church graveyard where the main character, Tony’s wife is buried. These scenes plays a pivotal part in the show where he talks to ​​Anne, his graveside confidante. 

The last photo that Darcy posed sitting up was a photo taken on the After Life bench.

I guess this is our makeshift graveside.

Over the years, the bench has been an important prop for our memories. From one of the first photos of Darcy and Sasha when she was only 4 months and he was 9 months, to the ones taken just two weeks before she left us.

So do stop and sit on Darcy’s memorial bench when you have the time.

You might find us there, or if not, you’ll find a pretty much clean bench and something we would have left behind each time we visited.

Thank you to the Royal Brough of Kensington and Chelsea for affording us a place to sit and ponder, and to share a conversation with a friend.

St. Luke’s Garden is next to the church on Sydney Place, Chelsea, London SW3.