…………………………When Jac joined her Mom, Teresa and Franco, who have been taking care of us for years….they are our family……asked me what they could do for Jac? I had no idea, I could barely think. Teresa said that Franco had an idea, and she would like to tell me. I said “Teresa you really don’t have to do anything. I know how much you loved Jac.” She said that Franco had an idea they thought I would like. “OK, what’s Franco’s idea”. She told me that they would like to plant a tree in Jac’s honor……It took my breath away….the idea was perfect. I knew Jac would LOVE this. She said I should pick out the tree and tell them where I wanted it planted. I didn’t hesitate. I knew immediately what the tree should be, and where it should be planted. Jac’s favorite trees are Pink Cherry Blossom Trees. Jac told me years ago, “I want an allee of cherry trees just outside my kitchen window, so I can look at them all day long”. I had them planted…..Each spring Jac loved to look at these wonderful pink blossoms. They were and are incredibly beautiful, and I’ve taken many picture of the flowers. When finally the flowers would fall, Jac always wanted to look at the beautiful carpet of pink. It was always sad to see them go..Jac would always say, “next Spring”………Franco planted “Jac’s Tree” this past week, right in the center of our backyard where I can always see it from my kitchen, and when I bring the girls out to play……Some of my dear Linea Ladies sent to me a beautiful set of chimes, that are now at the base of Jac’s tree….I will forever be grateful. The music they play is soft and sweet……………………………Cherry Blossoms live a short life, but a magnificent one………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………They will always remind me of my Jac
Dear Louis, I have been wearing your fashions for years. When I was watching the Q2 this evening I saw your black suit and immediately said to my husband something’s not right. I realize now it was all about Jaqueline. I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers. You are a wonderful designer with great talent
Dear Louis,
l have been wearing your beautiful fashions for years.When I saw you on Q2 tonight I thought about the fact that you were wearing all black.I immediately said to my husband, something is not right. Now I realize that it was about Jacequeline. I am so,so, sorry for your loss.
Dear Louis,
Such a beautiful and thoughtful way to honor your beautiful Jac! I also love cherry blossoms!
By the way, your show on QVC2 this evening was fabulous!
Best,
Pam
Just amazing and the love shown for you both. You really knew Jac inside and out. What a wonderful life you had and still have in a different way. Just got home and saw the last minute of your show – you look well and in that short minute I saw a couple of happy smiles. I will be watching later tonight. Regards and love. Janey
Please do let us know what you think……..good luck with your shows….must tell you I just bought the prune maxi, 2pairs each of the black and dusk pants, one white, two of the dusk and black tops and one white! So excited they finally posted! I’m sure they won’t last…
Louis, I do think you could find “Coco” relatable and maybe even comforting. There is pathos, no doubt, but also humor and the sense of how we would like to believe things turn out. And it is just beautiful esthectically with the colors and the art and creativity which you, with your love of color and design, would most likely enjoy. Of course, only you can decide…….thinking of you often….one of your faithful Linea ladies from waaaaay back, Dodie
Dear Dodie, I have like all of the clips I have seen of the movie. It looks very beautiful. I will take your advise and look at the movie when I can. I’ll report back.
Dear Louis: your lovely story of Jac’s Tree reminded me of the movie “Coco” which I saw not long ago with my grandchildren. Perhaps you’ve heard of it, but if not, it is a beautiful animated story of a little Mexican boy who, along with his hysterically funny, goofy dog goes to the land of the dead or find his father. It is deep on so many levels, but the one Ifelt the most was that as long as there is one person alive who remembers you, you are never really gone. This little boy has a lovely relationship with his great- grandmother, the animation is spectacular and colors amazing. It is just a very sweet story about those we love who have left, and how they still have a presence in our lives. Maybe you and the girls can catch it on tv; they’d love the dog! Wishing you peace, Dodie
Dear Dodie, thank you for the recommendation. I only hope I don’t get to emotional. I can stream it anytime, but I’sort of avoided it, but if you think I’lol enjoy it, I’all give it a try.
Dear Louis,
We have flowering cherry trees lining both sides of our long driveway and an arborist shapes them to form an arch. They just finished flowering followed by the beautiful carpet of pink flowers. I will forever think of Jac when I enjoy the beauty of these trees. ~ Barbara C.
How apropos to honor Jac with something big and strong from Mother Nature. She loved her plants, and this one should endure in her memory.
This is so heartwarming, Louis. Thank you for sharing.
Susan
So beautiful Louis and such a wonderful way to honor Jac. As promised, I too planted a cherry tree in my yard to honor my Aunt. Across from that I have a large pot that I will be filling with pink and white flowers this year which was her favorite color combo. It is so important to keep our loved ones memory alive. I’m sure Jac is smiling down on you. She would be so proud of you carrying on each and every day.
Hello Louis,
I walked past one today in full bloom in my neighborhood in the West Village. It will always be a reminder of your lovely Jac for me,
Elaine
Dear Louis,
The beautiful tree and lovely wind chimes are a wonderful tribute to Jac from precious friends. So many people love you, Louis. I hope you know what a treasure you are to so many.
Love and blessings to you, Ruth
I would have pictured Jac in a beautiful Rose Garden too.
You take my breath away. With tears shining my eyes I see those beautiful little flowers blooming with Jac’s Love for you every year.
Lovely story, Louis. What a beautiful, thoughtful gift and perfect symbolism of Jac. The grace of the tree, “the gorgeous blossoms with their short but magnificent life” and the soft, sweet chimes. I hope that it brings you much comfort and many smiles over the years.
Love and hugs, Linda
What a lovely tribute to a beautiful lady.
Trees are the very meaning of Life. Without them, there’s no us. This was a deeply meaningful gift, and you are truly blessed to have such loving and committed friends. We have, in our backyard garden, 2 very old and enormous wild cherry trees whose blossoms are like umbrellas of pale pink over our lawn in spring. When their petals finally fall, we also have that lovely carpet for just a little while, reminding me that all things pass, but to everything, there is a season. Then, the birds feast on the fruit, so everybody’s happy. Your cherry tree will always be a joy every time you look out your window, and in winter it will remind you that spring always comes again.
What a beautiful tribute from Franco and Teresa — the perfect remembrance!
Oh Louis how touching that such a beautiful flowering tree was planted in honor of Jac. It will live forever as a symbol of Jac’s beauty & grace!! I hope it continues to give you a lifetime of comfort. 🌸 💐🌺
What a lovely tree … such a perfect idea Teresa and Franco had. A reminder of Jac’s grace in her beloved gardens, and her sweet presence closer to you. Hugs and Love,
Cathy & Walter
Beautiful…
Beautiful and wonderful tribute to dear Jac and so serene. I hope every time you look at that tree it will warm your heart and make you smile.
For those who are friends with Louis & Jac on FB, I just posted a photo of our cherry tree. Great cultivars without fruit are Kwanzan Cherry, Halley Jolivette or Okame cultivars. What a beautiful story, Louis. Nature endures like our love for friends & family. There is a famous allé of Canadian hemlocks over at our Old Westbury Gardens, still meticulously maintained by the staff there.
Perfect memorial in the perfect location.
I finally planted my pansies this weekend. It has been so cold! Mine must have “faces”, too.
A beautiful gesture in remembrance of Jac.
“ cherry blossoms live a short life, but a magnificent one” what a beautiful thought .🌸
This reminds me of my favorite poem “TREES”
How incredibly sweet and thoughtful. I love pink cherry blossom trees. Would go to the festival in DC when I lived up there. Beautiful!
How beautiful! What a wonderful remembrance gift.
The perfect choice.
What a lovely gift!
What a lovely thoughtful gift.
Simply beautiful, and the buds are a promise of another Spring.
What a nice story.
A lovely flowering tree to remind you of a lovely lady – perfect – comforting – calm.
Teresa and Franco sound lovely, Louis, and a tree is such a beautiful gift. When we lived in CA, my youngest son loved to scoop up the pink petals from this tree and we would float them in a bowl of water on the dining room table. I hope you smile everytime you look out your window at it! Hugs and love this sunny, spring day!
It is a wonderful tribute to Jac’s life. I also planted a tree when my best friend died of cancer. I see it every day as I leave the house. It is a rose of sharon tree (they can also be shrubs but I grew this one as a tree) which was my friend’s favorite.
I hope it blooms beautifully every year as Jac was a beautiful bloom.
Hope it brings you joy.
Your travelling Lady – Laura