At my age, the people I know tend to have either mothers in their 80's or 90's, needing increasing amounts of care, or have mothers who died in recent years.
I'm not one of them. My Mom died, suddenly, in 1965.
I also know there are people out there who never knew their mothers, or who had relationships with them that were abusive, painful, or otherwise not one to celebrate. You can call us all, those who lost mothers through death, or those who lost mothers through lack of mothering, motherless daughters, and Mothers Day can be painful for us. Today, I honor us all.
Also, I must honor those who aren't mothers, but have acted in that role: teachers, siblings, aunts/uncles, cousins, fathers, friends. My father raised me after my Mom passed away, and had to be both mother and father to me. One of my aunts became, in some ways, a second mother to me, as did a childhood friend and her mother.
Today, Mother's Day in the United States, I also want to blog a little about my mother.
What would I have thought of my Mom if I had known her in my adult years? I don't know.
I know that she passed on her love of reading to me. She nourished it, much as she nourished the geraniums and mother in law tongue plants she grew on her windowsill. She loved Lilacs and Roses talcum powder but my lilacs aren't open yet. In fact, I lost one to a snowstorm almost two weeks ago.
In a way, I follow in her footsteps, except I have a small yard to grow things in instead of an apartment in a New York City housing project.
Here are some of my flowers in bloom today.
Brunneria.
Lungwort.
A small tulip.
Tulips, grape hyacinths, and daffodils. The kissing statue was my late mother in law's. To the right of the statue, a Japanese tree peony is readying its bloom (its foliage is red/brown right now).
You might be proud, Mom, that I grow some plants from Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia. Among them is this wood poppy. I also have blackberry lilies, which are just now coming up.
Fringed tulip.
And, finally, a heart for you.
I know you would be happy that I am writing, which I am, when I blog daily.
Once again: happy Mothers Day to mothers, or those who act in the role of mothers.
...my Mother died too young!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. Mother's Day can be so hard for many.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteBoth of my parents died in there late 70's
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
You never get over the death of a parent. I know Mother’s Day can be hard.
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute to your mother, Alana! It had to be tough for you and your dad when she passed. I'm thankful to have both parents a live. They aren't in the best of health but they continue to get around still and I hope they can for years to come. I know the days are numbered where that comes, though. I hope you had a special Mother's Day, dear friend! Take care and enjoy the week ahead!
ReplyDeleteHow like you, Alana, to take something that could be sad and, instead, fill it with colour and happiness! Your mother WOULD be proud!
ReplyDelete