A Rose Garden in Honor of Mom Under Old Glory

Submitted by ANGELnWard14 on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 19:46.

Family is the Fruit of Life...

Life is not perfect for any family under the sun. Yet, there was a day in time when families actually spent quality time with each other on holidays. They set aside all their differences to celebrate holidays together and to share quality time... Dinners made with love by charismatic women, card games at the table before dinner, and kids in the other room watching classic Disney movies seemed to be part of those days. At some houses, the ladies did dishes while men chattered in the other rooms. Elaborate buffets or sit down dinners at Grandma's house was the trend. Every family member showed up despite all the indifferences that could be imagined. Kids played without interruption and enjoyed the treasures of cousins, Aunts & Uncles, and the toyrooms in their family homes. Desserts included hand carved watermelon fruit baskets and homemade apple pies. Without enough chairs for everyone, husbands and wives sat on eachother's laps, kids sat on the floor, and no one complained at Grandma's house.

Whereever life has taken me; those memories of love, being with family, and enjoying a childhood shared with countless family members keeps me warm in thought. I enjoy stopping by a relative's home now for a quick "hello". I feel so blessed to have by gones for all of life's challenging differences. I feel blessed to know so many wonderful souls in our community. I am grateful for the experiences and love I have known as a human being. I feel so blessed.

I hope our world stops being divided and full of judging people who cannot just accept eachother. Last week, I was blessed to have the help of a practical stranger to go and rebuild my mom's memorial garden. I am so happy that it now looks fresh and ready for more expansion. Without their consideration this project may have been put on hold. Yet, by sharing in the idea of community and caring about the little things...an obstacle was overcome.

I pray that everyone enjoys a smile and a hug over this holiday weekend. Life is simply too short to harbor sadness, frustration, and feel alone! For all those who sit alone today; know in your heart that I am sending out a hug and a smile in hopes that you will know that you are NOT alone! May God Bless! Happy Easter to my RealNeo Family!

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Some people would give anything in the world to have a family

Submitted by Gone Fishin on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 21:17.

because some people don't have one single person to call their family. All she wanted was one single family member. Not one family member to even claim her body upon her death.

Happy Birthday to Elaine who would have turned 98-years old today.

Happy birthday, Elaine

Submitted by westward on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 22:05.

I enjoyed my talks with Elaine over the years at the Market Square Park. She was devoted to that park. Elaine inspired me to try these plants.

Lily, you were there in her life for years, and while you were not blood related, you were family.

You were there for her in life.

We have to make family. It does not happen just because people share genes, and that is ok, and sometimes, even better.

Friends....

Submitted by ANGELnWard14 on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 23:13.

ARE the FAMILY WE CHOOSE! Smiles....

Happy Birthday, Elaine!

Always Appreciative, "ANGELnWard14"

Around old Glory

Submitted by ANGELnWard14 on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 23:24.

A Rose Garden For Mom....Around Old Glory

Mom had a deeply loving personality that was the fruit of our life. Her Fruit Baskets were made with love for holiday dinners. Last year, I had a bunch of roses planted to begin a rose garden for her. The planter also thought they'd help my garden out by putting in a bunch of TOMATO PLANTS! I just had the entire garden redone this past week and had more rose bushes planted. I hope to expand it each year. Mom was the foundation of all our faith, love, and charisma... Now, I will work to put a new flag atop this flag pole where the little rose garden has been started... Her tulip garden sprouted again this year and remains a framework of her home. I hope to expand that garden as well. At least this year the kids have not pulled the flowers to give away as they have historically! Smiles...

Always Appreciative, "ANGELnWard14"

the tomatoes

Submitted by westward on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 23:34.

would you Mom have gotten a chuckle from the tomatoes planted in the rose garden?

Sweet woodruff would make nice as a ground cover in the circle. They give off a nice fragrance when the white flowers bloom, and they are a gentle, non-invasive ground cover. They come back every year.

Sweet Woodruff sounds nice...will have to find some...

Submitted by ANGELnWard14 on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 23:44.

As for the Tomatos...she probably would have chuckled at it...

The day she died, a friend of our family was at the house. He adored my mom.... He was also one of the people assisting my dad in CPR before the EMS people got there...(He had stayed the night and mom & him had stayed up late that night before she died going over details of their summer plans... They were great buddies and one of those items that they always did together was planting their veggie gardens annually.... He was the one who I had asked to plant the roses last year...(never thought he'd plant tomatos there...)

Yes, I believe she'd have found his choice to put Tomatos with our Roses something to laugh about later... I guess I can laugh at it now that it's prayerfully recovered and progressing along...I just pray that the roses come back and have faith that they will bloom this year!

She loved tomatos too.... I guess I'll have to appreciate his loss too and his wish to plant something there from him all the same!

Always Appreciative, "ANGELnWard14"

5 more rose bushes in circle not in pots

Submitted by ANGELnWard14 on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 23:56.

Those are the 5 bushes I pray grow!

Always Appreciative, "ANGELnWard14"

These Photos are for Great Bold World....

Submitted by ANGELnWard14 on Sun, 04/24/2011 - 15:36.

Happy Easter...

(Hope you make the calls!)

Always Appreciative, "ANGELnWard14"

Hope you enjoy these Easter Eggs, Uncle...

Submitted by ANGELnWard14 on Sun, 04/24/2011 - 18:09.

Your sisters are praying that their phone will ring and it will be you on the other end....Aunt M. just called me and hopes to hear from you....She's home from her holiday visits...

Always Appreciative, "ANGELnWard14"