Marianne Romsek said she feels the garden "embodies the spirit of Marissa." (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
LAKE ORION, Mich. (WJBK) -
"Here it says, 'You have left my life, but you will never leave my heart.' I think that's a great thing for the Romseks. This is some place that they can really go to be with Marissa here in spirit," said Brandon Moore.
The Romseks say that's what they need to try to move forward. Marissa Romsek would be 19 in just a few days, but in January, home for her first winter break from Michigan State, she collapsed.
"Within 30 seconds she was brain dead, and he said even if she was in the hospital, they couldn't have saved her," said Marianne Romsek, Marissa's mother.
Through her tears, Marianne can now see Hope, a beautiful garden built by Project People from St. Joseph Church in Lake Orion, a group Marissa's own brother is a part of.
"I think the garden embodies the spirit of Marissa because it's a beautiful place and she was such a beautiful girl, and I just think her spirit is there," her mother said.
This garden was a labor of love from the entire community. The flowers and a dozen special touches were all donated. 50 kids spent five days with no cell phones and no computers, just one goal, lifting up a family in need.
"I don't want to be known as a selfish person. I want to be known as someone who's here to work for others, so any chance I can get to help somebody out like this, in this case planning this garden for them, I'm ecstatic," Moore said.
"There's a bigger picture than us and that's what it's all about," said Marianne Romsek. "Spending the week with these kids, it just really brings it home."
"Life can end at any moment, and you just got to take advantage of the time we have here and just hope for the best," said Kyle Wood. "You can see how many people care about Marissa."
"If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again," reads an inscription on one of the stones in the garden.
"She had her whole life planned out, and she really knew what she was going to do," said Joey Romsek, Marissa's brother, who added that he misses her a lot.
The family also plans to plant a tree in honor of Marissa, a place for them to go and pray.
On the last day of this project, Marissa's mother told us that she found a pot on which Marissa had painted a bumblebee and a tree when she was just eight years old.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 4:33 PM EDT2013-03-12 20:33:13 GMT
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:40:48 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:41:47 GMT
FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
For at least the third time in a decade, FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
Marianne Romsek said she feels the garden "embodies the spirit of Marissa." (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
