A few of you know who this is, just by seeing the flowers.
She loved delphiniums. Flowers that grew as tall as they could along the fence behind the white daisies, with bees, heavily dusted with pollen, busily buzzing around. She'd cut bouquets for friends and to take to church. The floral stems were so many and so tall that they had to be laid out on a towel in the back seat of the car, with a tall vase wrapped in tissue paper, waiting her arrangement. Just beautiful. I always liked to gather up the fallen blossoms and dry them in a dish on my dresser. That's a fun memory.
What else do I remember about her? Oh, that on her birthday morning one of us would have a heckuva time getting a parking spot close to the Pioneer Bakery so we could go pick up her usual cake. She loved the springtime bouquet of daffodils and grape hyacinths designed to fit on a round cake with almond filling between the layers, frosted in buttercream, and the cake almond flavored, too. Vanilla ice cream picked up on the way back to the house. Coffee would be served and frilly napkins and gifts stacked nearby with ribbons and cards over which to exclaim. Lots of laughter.
Those are the bright, happy memories that offset some of the more serious thoughts and questions I still have that emerge in dreams of days gone by, when family was close and people were in touch.
I do know that she would have been helping me get to where I am today, in Texas. She'd have lots to say and be sending bulbs and tubers and seeds for gardens (same temperate zone) and she'd be telling me to stick up for what I believe and live my dream. Don't set those goals aside! Don't be talked out of anything about which you really care or believe or want to try! Hang on to those "manners" and get back your equanimity. Be proud of what you've accomplished and done. Don't pay attention to people who don't pay attention to who you are or what you know or where you've been. Speak less often if you have to. Think more. Don't get mad....get even. (That would be a BIG one) You don't have to yell to be heard. Just keep your Truth and Be You.
Yeah. Those would be the positive influences she had back when, and still would have. There are negatives in there, too....but it wouldn't be nice to speak ill of the dead. Especially when you're talking about them on or near their birthday.
Haha!!
Happy Birthday, EL. You did right by me, and I do thank you.
So there.
;~) Shawn xo
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