What we leave behind can bloom endlessly.
When I woke up on Easter morning and glanced out the window into my backyard, two yellow irises in full bloom, caught my eye and my heart filled with joy. Now, I know it’s not unusual for flowers to bloom in Georgia at Easter, but these were special.
The woman who wasn’t my grandmother by blood, but who God sent to be a grandmother to me, grew irises. Her name was Kittie. She was incredibly proud of them and each year she entered them into an iris show. She would fret some years that a late cold snap would kill them or that the show would be too early and her flowers weren’t ready yet, but one year one of her yellow ones called “Money,” won first place.
Kittie was absolutely ecstatic, giddy as a schoolgirl. I will always remember her joy that day.
Kittie went to live with Jesus years ago and after she passed, I asked her sweet sister for permission to dig up some irises out of her backyard. She readily agreed and I drug my patient hubby out in the heat, to dig them up.
She grew all kinds, so we really had no idea what we were going to get. They didn’t bloom the first year that we planted them, but the next year, they bloomed just in time for my birthday and wouldn’t you know, they were the yellow ones! Money had bloomed and I felt like I had received a birthday wish straight from heaven.
I’ve never had them bloom on Easter morning, but Kittie loved Easter. She always had a new dress and hat every year. My mind was filled with precious memories of her all day long.
While she is gone physically, her love and my memories remain just as fresh as they always were.
A dear friend of mine lost her Daddy this past week. He lived to a ripe old age and was beloved by all who knew him. As I saw pictures of him all over Facebook shared by his children and grandchildren, I couldn’t help but to think of those irises and what they represent. While he is no longer here, the memories of him and the love he shared will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of his family and friends.
The love he left behind will be passed down from generation to generation. It too, will bloom indiscriminately and indefinitely just like those irises. Some irises reminded me that when we live our lives with open hearts and love the people in our paths, a part of us will always remain. Perhaps you needed reminding too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂
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