Fennville’s cemetery is receiving a lot more visitors as of late, and they’re visiting for a “piece of peace” from the turbulent days we are experiencing.
Just a stone’s throw away from the city-owned cemetery, the tree line opens up into a clear azure sky and a vast field of beautiful reds, whites, and blues.
The poppy field, located at Pleasant Hill Blueberry Farm in Michigan, was planted by Joan Donaldson and her husband John Van Voorhees. And while the field is already beautiful in itself, the story behind it is what truly makes it special.
Donaldson and Van Voorhees lost their son to a tragedy.
Sgt. Mateo Donaldson toured in Afghanistan and returned home with PTSD. Shortly after that, he took his own life.
“We decided to create the poppy field in memory of him because all these flowers feed the bees and butterflies, which he loved caring for so much,” Donaldson explained to WZZM-TV. She shared that their son was also a beekeeper on their family-run farm.
Voorhees began planting the field a couple of years back and shared that the work it took just to help the flowers bloom was worth it.
The site has since attracted visitors and some of them are veterans. They told Donaldson they also have PTSD but they felt peace when they stand in front of the sea of flowers.
Their son’s grave is located just 200 feet east of the field and the couple knows that he’s watching over it, and in his own way, helping other soldiers heal from the unseen wounds that he also endured.
Donaldson shared that everyone is welcome and that they only have two rules once you get there.
“We just ask that you don’t walk on the field and please don’t pick the flowers,” Joan told the news outlet.
Just recently, the city had to close down the cemetery to vehicle traffic. When the amazing memorial gained traction on social media, tourists drove in flocks. They allowed visitors to use the cemetery for parking but when it filled up, some of them drove over and parked on graves. One tourist even hit a headstone.
Some visitors also walked into the four-acre poppy field just to take pictures. A sign had to be put up to remind the people and to lessen the damage on the flowers.
“We come out here, along with other people in the community, just asking people kindly to stay out,” Angie Smith, a local photographer shared with WZZM-TV. “You’re not always met with that kindness, and it’s kind of sad.”
The field provides a quiet respite, especially in these trying times.
It’s also a memorial not only for Mateo but also for those who battled the same fights he did. It is only fitting that the place is treated with utmost respect and mindfulness.
According to their website, Pleasant Hill Blueberry Farms is still planting wildflowers every year to feed their bees and other insects that can help pollinate the area. While they didn’t plant poppies this year, they hinted that they’re preparing for another “floral surprise”.
Watch how this couple paid tribute to their son, and how it became a shrine for the community.
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