We all have our harbingers of spring; mine is the crocus. My
mother cared little for flowers and I had never heard of a crocus until I
married and lived with my mother-in-law, Edna, for our first year as husband
and wife.
My-oh-my, Edna did love her flowers! I think she was
happiest among her throngs of beautiful blossoms and shiny leafed plants. Our
first February as newlyweds, Edna introduced me to the purple, yellow and
white plants that had fought their way through the mountain snow and ice. I had
never lived through a mountain winter and thought spring was a thing I would
never see again. Though I loved my new husband beyond words, I missed my mother
and father and the early spring of lower South Carolina.
One cold morning, Edna showed me the crocus blooming, as if
by magic, on either side of her walkway leading to the old farmhouse.
“Spring is a-comin’ for sure,” she said. “This little plant
is a sure sign of it being on it’s way.”
I bent over and touched the purple bloom and felt that I, too,
could survive the harshness of the winter months at my new home. I looked up at
Edna, she as pretty as the flower, and a smile passed between us, two women
loving the same man, and I knew I would survive more than just cold weather; I
would survive and thrive during cold, bleak seasons that come to every marriage.
I saw Edna’s first crocus last week. I smiled and remembered
the knowing look that passed between us forty-four years ago and bent down and
touched the bloom planted by her caring hands.
Spring is a-comin’! Spring is a-comin’, my heart sings; not
for a while, but a-coming for sure. I hope that encourages you sweet readers
who are bogged in winter’s grip. I encourage you to plant your own little
messenger of spring; you’ll be happy you did.
Words from an old gospel song comes to mind, “Heaven is a
land of pretty flowers, Heaven is a land of spring.” How precious of our Lord
to give us such good and beautiful gifts here on earth and the promise of more
lovely gifts on high. My heart soars on the wings of the hope of heaven!!
I am getting excited about a writer’s conferences that is coming up; Write2Ignite on the campus of North Greenville University in March. I hope you will visit the link provided and view the opportunity this event has to offer new and seasoned writers. I look forward to learning and seeing old friends and making new ones.
Take care, sweet readers, until spring arrives, sit by the
fire with a cup of steaming tea and luscious seed and bulb catalogues (“wish
books”).
Come go home with me and if the tea doesn’t work for you, have
a piece of warm, spicy homemade apple pie (with a cheese slice or a dollop of
whipped cream) paired with a cup of coffee-milk; that in itself, a story
for another time.
Blessings my sweet readers,
Dee Dee
What a sweet story, Dee Dee, and how nice to still have those bulbs! Hugs from the mountains of VA :)
ReplyDeleteThis just makes me miss you even more.
ReplyDeleteLove you sweet DeeDee!
Joy
Dee, such a sweet story. It touched my heart. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFunny how flowers reminds us of time gone by and those we love. I think of my grandmother every time the old-timey jonquils begin to bloom in my yard. Sweet memories! Thank you for sharing yours with us. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan. I loved the years my family lived in VA.
ReplyDeleteI miss you Joy! I keep your sweet family in my prayers .Love you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cathy. I cherish my memories and I cherish your friendship.
ReplyDeleteDee Dee - I am so blessed with your story. Spring is shining brightly here in Charlotte and flowers are blocking, however there is a winter in my heart. I have learned from your post to wait and look for the signs of Spring because they are there :) Thank you and love you!
ReplyDelete