Wow!! That IS an extremely sad story!! So sorry...
Gardening is a continual challenge. There are lots of joys and rewards to it, but also frequent disappointments. I tried growing potatoes for the first time this year, just a big container of them. They got some kind of blight and died....
Not as sad as yours, because doesn't involve 3 hrs in hot sun trying to save them, but another eg that no matter how many years of experience you have (I've been a serious gardener nearly 20 yrs now), you still have frustrations and disappointments at times.
Next year is always going to be the perfect year in the garden!
