The Baumhardt Barn

We’ve known the
Baumhardt family for years now.
And we’ve made so many
Countless memories.
Together.

In September 2016
I stood in a barn with a microphone.
Our crazy idea was put into action.
Bo’s Heavenly Clubhouse.

And to think that it all started
After our son, Bo passed away.
All the hell that we endured.
And months later to randomly
get a box of
numerous boxes of diapers.
A huge box that had a tiny name.
As the purchaser.
Jodie Baumhardt
Nothing else.
Because,
It was clear she didn’t want me to know.
I reached out to her over Facebook.
And here she was.
A photo of her and her two girls.
The loves of her life.

From then on we
became inseparable.
But it wasn’t easy for her.
Not being in the world of loss,
But as a “spectator”
To be around so much loss-
It can be draining on a person.
I didn’t understand how
grief was handling me some days.

But she understood.
My goodness, she understood.
She’s been patient.
Kind.
Loving.
Sweet.
Caring.
Compassionate.
And so much more.

And yet,
to some it may seem
Unfathomable.
Why a person would willingly
Put herself in the world of loss.
But not Jodie.
She knows the true power of perseverance.
And what it takes to persevere.
It’s love.
It conquers all.

And then we launched
Bo’s Heavenly Clubhouse.
My most crazy,
Draining,
Most humbling,
Frustrating,
Rewarding adventure.
And my adventure turned into several adventures as we built our board of directors.
A board that worked so unbelievably hard.

At preparing for events.
Attending board meetings.
And keeping Bo’s memory
At the center of it all.

Jodie offered her property for endless events. The first and second Bo William Hartwig Memorial Ride and Fundraiser took place in this beloved barn.
A barn that grew my dream.
A barn that tended to my wounds.
That were newly open,
only a year into my grief.
A beautiful red barn that was loved.
