Bailey’s Grave and Its Memorials

The Sky Is Everywhere

This flow follows Lennie’s avoidance of Bailey’s grave and her eventual visit, where hidden objects help her acknowledge the lost future.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Avoiding the Cemetery Avoiding the Cemetery from "The Sky Is Everywhere". Avoiding the Cemetery Fear of the body Lennie refuses to visit Bailey’s grave because the physical facts of burial are too painful to imagine.

Avoiding the Cemetery from "The Sky Is Everywhere". Avoiding the Cemetery Fear of the body Lennie refuses to visit Bailey’s grave because the physical facts of burial are too painful to imagine.

Avoiding the Cemetery Fear of the body Lennie refuses to visit Bailey’s grave because the physical facts of burial are too painful to imagine. She avoids thoughts of the casket and the decay beneath the ground. Grief kept abstract Staying away protects her from one kind of terror, but it also leaves her feeling excluded when she learns that others have visited.

Gram’s Flowers Gram’s Flowers from "The Sky Is Everywhere". Gram’s Flowers A living memorial Gram plants flowers at Bailey’s grave despite objections from cemetery staff.

Gram’s Flowers from "The Sky Is Everywhere". Gram’s Flowers A living memorial Gram plants flowers at Bailey’s grave despite objections from cemetery staff.

Gram’s Flowers A living memorial Gram plants flowers at Bailey’s grave despite objections from cemetery staff. Her care makes the site an active place rather than a bare marker. Different forms of mourning Toby visits often, and Uncle Big joins him at times. Lennie’s absence from the cemetery reflects her particular fear, not a lack of love.

The First Journey The First Journey from "The Sky Is Everywhere". The First Journey An intentional visit Lennie asks Toby to take her to Bailey’s grave.

The First Journey from "The Sky Is Everywhere". The First Journey An intentional visit Lennie asks Toby to take her to Bailey’s grave.

The First Journey An intentional visit Lennie asks Toby to take her to Bailey’s grave. She has decided that keeping the bedroom untouched no longer honors her sister in the way she needs. Fear faced directly During the drive, memories of the funeral and the casket return. Toby’s familiar presence helps her approach the grave without demanding that she feel brave.

The Memorial Cabinet The Memorial Cabinet from "The Sky Is Everywhere". The Memorial Cabinet Words given to Bailey Lennie places a notebook of Gram’s letters to Paige in the grave’s small cabinet.

The Memorial Cabinet from "The Sky Is Everywhere". The Memorial Cabinet Words given to Bailey Lennie places a notebook of Gram’s letters to Paige in the grave’s small cabinet.

The Memorial Cabinet Words given to Bailey Lennie places a notebook of Gram’s letters to Paige in the grave’s small cabinet. She wants Bailey to have the fuller family story she never got to hear. A hidden ring Lennie finds an orange topaz ring left by Toby, likely intended for Bailey. The object gives shape to the engagement and future the couple could not announce.

The Plant Released The Plant Released from "The Sky Is Everywhere". The Plant Released A final symbolic act Lennie takes the failing houseplant to the cliff above the falls and throws it into the water.

The Plant Released from "The Sky Is Everywhere". The Plant Released A final symbolic act Lennie takes the failing houseplant to the cliff above the falls and throws it into the water.

The Plant Released A final symbolic act Lennie takes the failing houseplant to the cliff above the falls and throws it into the water. She chooses to let go of the object that has carried her family’s fear about her condition. Grief carried onward The release does not erase Bailey’s absence. It marks Lennie’s readiness to change while keeping her sister’s memory close.

The months before Lennie’s first visit

During the summer after Bailey’s death

Near the end of the summer

At Lennie’s first visit to Bailey’s grave

Immediately after Lennie discovers the ring