Last night, I helped my aunt repot & clean up my grandma's hibiscus plant that she rescued from my grandfather. It's hard to believe that Grandma has been gone over 5 years. She sure loved her flowers! I have her to thank for being one of the main reasons that I love flowers, gardening and the outdoors so much!
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| Me with Grandma |
Every spring, Grandma would get flowers to fill her planters in the front yard. I loved walking out to get the mail with her and seeing which flowers were blooming that day. One year, after hearing Grandma talk about butterfly bushes, I (with the help of my mom) bought her a butterfly bush for Mother's Day. I will never forget the joy & smile on her face when she saw it!
Little, simple things made her smile. I think she saw beauty in nearly every living thing. Tears fill my eyes and I miss her so much as I think about all of my memories with her...
Having these same emotions last night after cleaning the large hibiscus for my aunt, I decided to try to take some cuttings from the soft, new growth that I had trimmed off in the cleaning process. I sure hope that these little cuttings take root. It would be pretty neat to be able to pass on one of Grandma's heirlooms & the memory of her love for flowers to a few of her other children & grandchildren!
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Soft hibiscus cuttings |
Flowers and plants trigger many emotions from many different memories. For me, butterfly bushes always make me think of my Grandma Morris, intensely scented lavender roses make me think of my Grandpa Gruemmer (he loved his roses & always let me take flowers home with me) and large-flowered chrysanthemums make me think of my Grandma Gruemmer...thankfully, she is still in my life for me to maybe get a little cutting of those mums!! ;)
For all of these memories, I know that I will always love flowers. I wonder what other flowers will evoke such emotions for me in the future?...my wedding, the birth of children, etc.
What flowers or plants have special meaning for you? These are your heirlooms to always cherish.
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My fave pic of Grandma -- rollerskating with my cousin. |
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I remember your grandma drove a bunch of us from Colorado Elementary out to your house for your annual birthday sleep over. I told your grandma I made you a purse for your present. I remember your grandma telling me how nice that was and that the best gifts are homemade. For whatever reason, her telling me that at such a young age stuck with me. It's part of the reason why I enjoy making homemade goodies rather than store bought. Just thought I'd share :)
ReplyDeleteAww...now that makes me teary-eyed! Gosh, I loved her...her simplicity and the ability to find the good in almost anything. I sure do miss that!!
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