by Natalie Sparacio
MOSINEE (WAOW)-- The excitement of winning the Extreme Yard Makeover contest for Holly McMeeken of Mosinee is bittersweet, her husband Tom, and father of their two toddlers, unexpectedly passed away the day before Christmas Eve 2008, from a viral blood infection.
Holly says, "... I went from having the happy family... now to trying to start over and have a brand new life and be both the mom and dad for my kids...and just a lot of ups and downs."
Last summer, Tom and Holly started working on their yard... this summer's project was going to be landscaping.
Holly's coworker Dawn saw the promotion for the Extreme Yard Makeover contest on TV... and the timing couldn't have been better.
Dawn Rahmlow, Holly's co-worker who nominated her, says, "... just that week Holly was saying the yard seemed so overwhelming, they had planted grass last year and now she was left with this half done project that every time she saw the dirt pile and the plants he had put in pots...were just a reminder of another project that he had left undone."
Holly says, "...he had plans for everything he was a big dreamer...he always said were going to do this this year and this and that."
As the weather started to warm up.. the kids wondered when their swing set was going to be finished.
3 year old Darren asks everyday... ' when is daddy going to finish my swing?'
Holly says, "... he had started the swing set I know that's kind of pathetic to look at....half done... it's basically just got steps going up and a slide."
With the makeover.. Living Color Landscapes designers plan to transform the unfinished playground for the kids, and the yard into a place that maintains their memories but also allows them to start new.
James Merritt, Partner with Living Color Landscapes says, "... this is an amazing opportunity to go out and do something that makes a difference in someone's life...you know..when you think about... how often do you have that chance..we're gaining as much as were giving here... and that's a good thing."
Dawn explains,"... I just want the kids to have a safe fun yard and when Darren looks out the window he knows he has a place to go play...they come home from work everyday and I just want them to feel like they have a place that's like their little kingdom that they can just play and feel safe."
As a way of moving forward, and dealing with their loss, Holly has been taking on multiple household projects.
Holly says, "...we want to make this more of our house ,and we want to start over...and instead of looking at the house of all the things left undone...were trying to just make it be put back together so it's a new beginning..instead of living in the past of what we had."
The yard makeover is a beginning that's sure to bring many happy days, to a family who's dealing with overwhelming sadness.
Dawn says, "... it's also bittersweet, because I know she'd trade it in a heartbeat to have her husband back, and that's what this whole thing has shown for me... is that everyone go home and hug your kids and family because tomorrow they could be gone."
The project is expected to be finished by the Fourth of July.
Living Color Landscapes has decided to help the two runner-ups as well.
They'll be improving the memorial for Rochelle Anderson in Tomahawk, and plan to build a ramp for a woman with MS in Crandon.
All 9 finalists will get a free landscape design and consultation.
