Friday, March 13, 2009

Flowers for Mom

My mom was a gardener. She loved her garden, she loved flowers and had beautiful flowers of all varieties blooming year round. Sometimes she picked them to arrange on our table for dinner, but not often because she loved to see them growing naturally outside 'where they belonged'. She gardened the summer before she passed away at age 96. That spring I was down for a visit and suggested we go for a ride. She had never seen where my brother Paul worked, which is in Antelope Valley, over the mountains and in the high desert of California. Spring in this area is very fickle. Many years spring brings green hills with a few wildflowers here and there, and then every so often the spring weather conditions are just right and there is an explosion of vibrant colors everywhere you look as far as the eye can see. It is glorious. It is intoxicating. It is heaven. That spring was one of those years. This was the last real outing my mom and I had before she passed away and Heavenly Father put on a show for her that was as memorable as she was. My mom and I had a wonderful day , just the two of us, that I will never forget. She passed away about 8 months later. Scroll down to see a picture I took of her at that time.




















My mom was as kind and sweet as this picture portrays her to be. She never got grouchy as she got older and would always thank everyone who helped her. I miss her a lot. I like to think my mom and dad are having fun with their great grandson right now!

7 comments:

Tiera said...

That is a very beautiful picture of her. She was a very sweet grandma. I always remember her making sure we weren't too cold. Like that is even a possibility in CA!

Amber said...

Those pictures are so beautiful. Then when I got to the end you made me cry. I miss grandma so much. Even those time I sat with her in your room and watched the old Lawrence Welk show. I loved those moments with her. I will always remember her smile. She was very sweet, and I'm sure she is there with Grandpa playing with Gavin.

Lisa said...

What a wonderful memory. You must really love the flowers and the memories they bring to you.

janc@mac.com said...

What a spectacular show of colors. I miss your sweet mom also. She was such a dear lady. It's easy to understand where you learned love and compassion.

bugnose7 said...

I wish my kids could give me the same compliment you gave your Mom. I wish I could have seen her flower gardens. What a labor of love for God's creations.

Crystal said...

I want to be like you someday and be able to take pictures like you. Can I be your understudy?

Anonymous said...

Aunt Karen, Russ and I have been changing things here and there, but we (Russ esspecially) take care of her roses. Every Memorial Day we take a few of her own roses and place them on Grandma and Grandpa's headstones. Thanks for the pictures!!
Love
Heather