People say we look alike
my mom and I.
I consider that a compliment.
We can talk for hours
and after we go our separate ways
I can still think of more to tell her.
She knows all of my faults
but loves me anyway.
I can't say that about very many people
except my family.
She knows when I'm not telling her the whole truth.
She has that mom radar.
I have it too
with my babies.
This past weekend my mom and I spent the afternoon together.
We went to the cemetery
which sounds like a creepy way to spend our time.
It wasn't creepy at all though.
I wish had thought to take my camera.
Now maybe THAT would be creepy.
I don't know.
We had a few special spots we wanted to visit.
To remember.
To know that although the pain is still there
we are not letting it conquer us.
She is a survivor
my mom
and she is surviving with Grace.
We walked up and down
reading rows of names
unknown to us.
There are so many stories to be told in a cemetery.
Most of them I will never hear.
So I make up my own to go with some of the old tombstones.
After letting our imaginations run amok
we stopped at a garden exhibit.
I remembered to take my camera here.
I am a certifiable flower killer.
I love them
but they do not love me.
The kindest thing I can do is to leave them at the nursery
and be happy just taking their pictures.
The Tulips
and Hyacinth
are my absolute favorites.
I think it is their shapes and the brilliant color that I am drawn to.
For years I would plant annuals by the carload around my yard.
But by the 4th of July I was tired of taking care of them.
I would forget to water them.
Then, to make up for neglecting them,
I would unintentionally drown them.
I know ... flower killer.
My mom doesn't do well with flowers either.
Maybe it's a genetic thing.
So we will both just plant a few simple pots this spring
of Impatience
petunias
geraniums...
the stuff that is more resilient to torture.
and be content to see exotic beauty at the flower exhibits.
Less time gardening will give us more time for what we really love
Just spending an afternoon together.
XO,
P
