I can mark my calendar by a lily’s blossom. My mother’s Black Pearl is such a faithful July bloomer that I could flip my calendar by her first magenta starburst.
This year, Pearl is particularly glorious.
Every time she flowers, I rejoice at Pearl’s faithfulness because she’s part of my history.
For years, she reigned in the flowerbed at the corner of the dining room of my childhood home, welcoming all who ventured up the sidewalk.
My parents were proud of Pearl. A gift from a friend, she even has a pedigree, recorded on onionskin paper.
After they were gone, I moved her to our yard. Now, each year, I feel that mysterious connection between
what once was,
is,
and
someday will be.
I’d like to think one of my children will want Pearl when Terry and I are no longer here.
Better yet, maybe all of them will want a start of Grandma’s pride and joy.
After all, Pearl is always expanding, sending up shoots through the azalea branches. Besides, I need to do my part to instill the Latimer love for flower gardening.
Maybe I’ll give them a start of Black Pearl.
I’ll copy her papers.
And I’ll tell them about their Granddad’s love for flower gardening, a passion instilled by his mother. It’s a love I must have inherited because the older I get, the more flowering plants I want in my yard.
I think about the power of a single blossom to connect us to folks who understood the seasons, sowing and reaping–
people who came before us yet live on through us.
Once again, I remember my rich heritage.
And I am blessed in the remembering.
What about you?
Is there something that blesses and connects you to those who came before you?
I’d love to hear about it.
By the way, if you’d like a start of Pearl, drop by. I’ll even copy her pedigree for you.
So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Matthew 6:28-29
How beautiful ! We have a little red bug that eats the Lilly’s and if not spotted quickly the plants do not recover. Have lost the Tiger Lilly’s that grew virtually wide here . I try hard to control these pests with soapy water every few days and wish I had started many years ago when these pests arrived. Very nice message and thank you. Have a joyful time together add memories to your keep sakes.Cheers from the Latimer country in Connecticut. Art
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
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Thank you, Art. I wish I could give you a piece of this one. I’d love to visit the NE Latimer country!
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When is a good time of the year to get a start of Pearl? I would love ❤️ one! What a beautiful reflection, your grandchildren are so blessed! ❤️ you!
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I’m not sure, but I’ll give you a piece and if it doesn’t work, you can have another next spring.
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My father made a carousel lamp for our kids when they were little. The horses are mounted on strings attached to a circular base. The lamp shade is a pen and ink on the outside, the liner is colored behind the drawings. When you turn on the light, it’s beautiful. He put an eagle finial on top because it’s what he had on hand. The other day after our grandchildren played with it, i added a brass carousel horse finial to add another touch of heritage. Remembrance is sweet. Important!
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So special and now meaningful to another generation.
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Beautiful bloom and beautiful post. I am just about to call my Mom’s sister, in hopes of feeling that connection in my ear, and all the way down to my heart.
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This weekend, we’re going to visit my only surviving aunt who will soon be 96. I always feel like I’ve been home when I see her.
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What a lovely flower and good memories you have. My mother passed on her love for knitting, although I knit these days.
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I love to do simple knitting projects, but with 3 kitties, it’s almost impossible.
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I’m chuckling to myself imagining your cats with the wool.
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I love Pearl and if I ever get one of her babies I promise to take great care of her! I have a cutting of my Nana’s cactus and its one of my most cherished possessions.
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I know that for a fact and would love to share Pearl with you.
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