Tuesday, May 18, 2010

A Weird Kinda Birthday

Today is my birthday. I thank my mom for carrying me within her body and giving birth to me on this day, 35 years ago. This is something I have only really come to appreciate now that I have carried and birthed two children from my own body...

I saw her from the road...
That white figure bent over a grave...



I wanted to see her closer. As it is raining in sprinkles there were small droplets of water dripping off of her nose... As if she is greiving with such deep sorrow. I feel for this statue or rather for what she represents. I am familiar with that loss and pain...

I also feel that the loss and pain must subside and life embraced for all that God has given us (no matter what your belief is in, understand that life is a gift).



And I often think when my time is up, where will my body rest? Plant a tree by my grave seems a little... well, that picture shows what can happen. I like the thought though.



I like this graveyard for the way the graves are all like mini gardens. Little too much statuary, but the solar lights are a neat idea.

Put my body in the ground, naturally or by ash. Plant a garden over me... Let my body become part of the earth again to keep in the cycle of life. Don't bind me up with chemicals and a perminent coffin.

My soul will be wandering wherever it goes (I think it goes to your happiest place through being with God). And so far, my happiest place is here, enjoying life: family and friends, nature, music, beauty of so many kinds...

So as I go through this day I will remember my mom and keep her close to my heart.

Oh, and I came by this graveyard (Longwood Graveyard) on my way to Longwood Gardens. I have Chloe with me, but she fell asleep in the car and I didn't have the heart to wake her just yet. Poor dear has a stomach bug that she can't quite shake and has been up at night...

Be thankful for your mom every day! Hopefully she was as human as mine was (with all kinds of imperfections that made her unique)...

-Photos Taken With My iPhone & Posted From My iPhone

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Gardenia Gift

It's funny to think of how my mom reached out to touch so many people's lives.

My mother-in-law and my mom got along great and I remember them talking about how much they loved gardenias...

For my wedding, the men wore them (my mom picked them out). My m.i.l. prom flowers: gardenias...

So this year for my partial mother's day/birthday (in about a week) my m.i.l. got me a gardinia plant.


How cool is that!? You should see all the buds on it... And the scent reminds me of being at Longwood Gardens...

I never paid too much attention to the flower before, not really... But now that I have one, I'm smitten... Such regal folds in that blossom...

I get it now. Thanks Mrs. M...
-- Posted From My iPhone