Wednesday, May 2, 2012

It Lives On So He Does Too

My Dad was a fantastic
vegetable gardener. 
He was even written up in the local
newspaper, as he proudly
stood in his 7 foot high corn.
He hand tilled all of it.
Every day.
It paid off.
If it grew, he planted it.
We'd feast on it all summer long.

My Dad has been gone over 20
years already.
Seems impossible.

Back when I first got married,
I did my best to try to emulate my Dad's
garden.
I can clearly remember him digging up a start
of rhubarb for me to plant in my first garden.
It flourished.

After my Dad died,
I gave a start to one of my brothers and my sister.
When I moved to Texas, I dug up my rhubarb and took it with me.
When I returned to Minnesota,
it came back home with me.

Here it is today.
I found a special surprise today.
Whenever I cut my rhubarb, I chop off the leaves
and let them compost at the edge of my yard.
Today I found what my Dad
always called "a volunteer."

It sure made me smile
and warmed my heart.

I have a peony that was my Mom's.
No picture though as it's not even close to blooming today.

These are precious gifts to me.
Especially today
as it's my birthday.
It's almost like having my Mom and Dad here with me.
Almost.

Lilacs make me think
of a wonderful childhood where
my love of lilacs developed.
And love them, I do.
Their scent is intoxicating to me.
They aren't ready either
and I won't have many of them
but here is one that is trying.

Always something to look forward to.
Always something to be thankful for.
I count you as both.
Thanks for being my friend.



30 comments:

Paula said...

Wishing you a beautiful day for your birthday.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

How cool to have plants that your parents passed along. :-) You must feel such joy to see them come up every year!

Scrappy Pink Corner said...

How cool is that. Love reading all those stories of peoples childhood memories.

Have a beautiful day on your day. Very well deserved to put up your feet and have a cup of tea or coffee and read a book, magazine. Just vegetate.
TFS. Ana

Unknown said...

This is so cool! Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Lovely post Jill, and it's great to see those plants grow. Nice memories of your Mom & Dad. Have a lovely day!

Eva

Melodie said...

I know how you feel about the plants,I have them too.Gifts from loved ones,some long gone,that I take every time we move.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday dear Jill! What a blessing to have these treasured plants from your parents to remind you of their love and admiration. Wishing you a sweet day filled with joy.

Lynne said...

Happy Birthday Rhubarb Peony gal!

Great post.

You deserve a special day today . . .
We need to find a plant that shouts . . .
JILLL'S BIRTHDAY is MAY2!!!!!!

Kayla said...

Happy Birthday, my friend.

Nancy said...

I have many, many plants from my mother-in-law's garden and a few given to us by friends and neighbors. These are the best kind -- they come with built-in joy of good memories.

Enjoy your day, Birthday Girl!

TexWisGirl said...

happy birthday, dear jill. rhubarb, lilacs and gardens were part of my childhood, too. :)

My Mind's Eye said...

Your dad was a plant whisperer....very few folks today have that gift. He was a natural and knew just what to do. How wonderful to still have his rhubarb and your mom's Peony. My favorite pie is strawberry and rhubarb. My sister in law makes one for me each spring for my b-day. My b-day is in January but rhubarbs aren't around then. LOL
Hugs C

Charade said...

Happy Birthday, Sweet Jill. What a wonderful way to stay connected to your parents.

Dawnll said...

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!!
Hope your day is as special as you are.
Thanks for sharing a piece of your day with us.
Hugs

Dianna said...

Happy, Happy Birthday, Jill! So glad you have flowers as a living reminder of your parents. Have a wonderful day!

Julie Marie said...

Oh Jill... first off, Happy Happy Birthday to you sweet lady!... (a little package is on it's way to you)... I hope you have a most wonderful day... and your precious gifts this morning... of course they are from your mama and daddy... as you know, I always plant special things for my loved ones who have passed on... I am so happy to see that you do as well... and you know, your mama and daddy are right there by you this morning... so proud of their beautiful little girl and her garden... cherish those memories Jill... they will never fade... much love, xoxo Julie Marie

Susan said...

Happy, happy birthday dear girl! I am so glad you have those wonderful memories to keep with you! I really hope you have a wonderful day.

Bev said...

yes I have a rhubarb plant of my dad's...and a bleeding heart... always take them with me too!

Ellie said...

Happy Birthday dear Jill I hope you have a wonderful day - you deserve it!!!
How lovely to have plants to remember your mum and dad by. Your rhubarb looks really good. I've got a wee plant with two rhubarb stalks. Maybe one day it will be like yours. I love rhubarb. :))

mary i said...

Happy Birthday my new friend!!! My mom was just like your dad. In fact my "green-thumb" is not mine but hers... Thank you for bringing tears to my eyes,and a big SMILE. PEACE and many more from T-town Ala.

Bonnie said...

Happy Birthday Jill! So lovely to have a piece of something your mom and dad loved. I hope you are having the best day! Bonnie

Marie said...

Oh Jill, that is the sweetest! Happy Birthday! I know your parents are watching you as you grow your garden and your little family with such loving care and they must be so proud. Have a happy day :)

Chatty Crone said...

*•☆•*¨*•.¸¸❤ ☺ ♪ HaPpY BiRtHdAy to YOU!
❤¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•.¸¸❤ ☺ ♫HaPpY BiRtHdAyto You
❤¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•.¸¸❤ ☺ ♪ HaPpY BiRtHdAy deAr JIll ❤¸.•*¨*•☆•*¨*•.¸¸
❤ ☺ Happy Birthday to You aanndd mannyy morree

Sandie

snowwhite said...

Jill,
Happy birthday! I am moved with this lovely story. It is so good to have the plants or something evoking your sweet memories
with your parents. They are always with you.
keiko

Donna said...

Dear Jill,

The last bit that you wrote just touch my heart! You are one of my favorite people here on blogland, Jill. Always so appreciative of the beauty and wonder the Lord gives us each day. Your lovely photos of childhood plants, reminds me of the "Snowballs" - Hydrangea plants - I want to put in my front yard. My father had them in his yard, one year a beautiful blue and purple, the next couple, pink. So, beautiful. Brings back special memories, doesn't it?

Your rhubarb, will you give that to a special friend to start now in your area? What a lovely gift!

Blessings, Jill,
Hugs,
Donna

nanny said...

that is so sweet.....a living growing reminder of your sweet dad and mom. I wish I had peonies from my parents......

Debbie said...

perhaps your dad is still working his magic...

Rohrerbot said...

A stubborn patch of rhubarb and the smells associated with lilacs from our childhood....I can see why you'd feature both these wonderful plants. They do the same for me.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Oh, happy birthday to you.
These volunteers and flowers are blessings from above.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

because I see your smiling face on several blogs we both visit, i decide to visit again, what a lovely post, I also have moved my Dads rhubarb and my mums peonies, what a coincidence, I hope you ahd a wonderful birthday,