LeAnne's Big Give: Creating A Healing Memorial

With hundreds of nominations for our Big Give, it's hard to choose just a few people to recognize. Each one is deserving and we wish we could help everyone. But today's story is so unique, I think you'll see why she was chosen.

Theresa Luther is always bustling around. She works in the kitchen of an assisted living center in Sand Springs, making sure the meals are prepared and the residents are taken care of.

But today, one of her co-workers has turned the tables, nominating her for our Big Give.

"Theresa's home was burglarized and she lost some valuables but not as precious as one item that meant the world to her. They took her son's urn with his remains and since then she can hardly talk about it without crying," said Debbie Titus, co-worker of Theresa Luther.

Theresa's youngest son James died in his sleep two and a half years ago.

She had his ashes in an urn at her home, when burglars broke in last month and took them, leaving her to grieve again.

"I'm right back where I was two years ago," said Theresa Luther.

"It's killing her. I know it is.  She used to be so independent and now it's changed her a lot. Depressed and everything.  For me, it's hard.  I just want to see her happy again," said Brian Wehde, Theresa's son.

And today may just be the day! We're surprising her with a plan to create a memorial in her backyard in memory of her son. So we have a truckload of flowers and plants and a design of what the Master Gardener wants to do.  That way she can have a bench and maybe an angel statue or something that will remind her of her son.

Theresa says she's totally shocked and grateful to Debbie Titus for the nomination.

"Debbie had suggested it before and I thought what a wonderful idea.  I just didn't really know how to go about doing it. It's gonna be beautiful," said Theresa Luther.

Workers have started preparing the soil, getting ready to plant some pansies and azaleas and some evergreens.

Skiatook Statuary donated a bench and an angel to be the focal point in her yard. It will take a couple of weeks, but her backyard will be transformed into a beautiful sanctuary.

"Emotionally, it's such a relief to know it's going to get done and it doesn't have to wait for me to get myself together," said Theresa Luther.

Theresa knows how the grieving process works and she's leaning on others to help her through.

"This group is my family. I love these people. The workers and the residents I just love 'em. And I know they love me," said Theresa Luther.

A special thanks to Master Gardener Phillip Skoch from the OSU Extension Office in Tulsa for his work on the project.

Once they're finished, I'll head back out to show you the finished product.

And be sure to tune in next Tuesday to meet our fourth Big Give recipient.