Forget-Me-Not
Forget-Me-Not
Perhaps this is how we live forever, thanks to the living who don’t forget us. I do know that The Day of the Dead in Mexico is considered by UNESCO to be a living expression of remembrance of the dead passed down from one generation to the other.The forget-me-not is a symbol of love and remembrance and when I spot them, as I did yesterday at Patterson Creek I find them irresistible. And they remind me to remember.
And what about the living? We don’t want to forget about each other as the cares of the world and our busy lives eat up our time. I was telling my friend, walking with me, about my beloved mother who warned me endlessly about staying away from the Salmon River, in my small maritime town. In retrospect she had many good reasons for her warning, but each springtime I was overcome by an uncontrollable impulse that drew me to the riverbank where these beautiful tiny blue flowers resided, virtually unnoticed by the rest of the world. (This was my assumption at eight years old since no one else was silly enough, I suppose, to go down to the river and gape in wonder at these blue flowers with the yellow dot.
It’s funny how the forget-me-not, such a humble little flower, is a connection between past, present and future, in my life. I love that.
And what about you? Do you have something you loved at eight that you still love decades later? If so I would love to know what it is. Why not tell us about it in the comments or by email.
Tonight I am weary and I wanted to show you my forget-me-nots. Now I am off to sleep.
Notes
1) This month several people I know well and some hardly at all, were struck with devastating health news. My heart is sore with you. May you receive the best of all possible outcomes.
2) “Complexity does not need to be resolved. It needs to be included.” Koshin Paley
3) Thank you for stopping by today. I will be in Calgary for next week’s blog post and at Wellspring Carma House for the weekend of May 29, 30 and 31st.May you enjoy the gifts of the outdoors. Warmly, Trudy
My mom’s favourite flower … so I remember her in the same way! Very special. Plus I have them in my yard! Thanks Trudy
Thank you dear Mary! You are welcome to send me a photo. 😊 they really are such a humble little miracle. Enjoy your day. As always, Trudy
Trudy my yard is full of forget me nots – each year more and more appear and I love them too. But earlier than even eight I fell in love with dandelions. They are majestic, beautiful and, to me, a happy, joyful flower. I never dig them up, I let them flourish and each year when that first bloom appears I am filled with happiness. I fill vases with them and surround myself with them. It hurts when I hear people curse them, poison them…to me a dandelion represents survival, warmth, sunshine, and happiness.
Clearly, we are kindred spirits. You would love Ottawa right now as we have the Experimental Farm right in the city and currently they have lush green fields blooming with vibrant yellow dandelions and gorgeous plum coloured crabapple trees. I also lOVE dandelions and have publicly declared my love many times. Your note made me smile from ear to ear. Enjoy your day Pat and thanks for this note of cheer. Warmly,Trudy
Yup, dandelions are sweet little sun-faces. My personal favourite are violets, those tiny purple flowers I saw pinned to my grandmother’s coat and which remind me of her. Rest well my friend.
Thanks Trudy for opening up such beautiful thoughts and reactions. As usual, you know how to strike a chord and bring us colourful thoughts.
Dandelion:
Everywhere, friendly to bees, edible parts for foragers, happy colour and fun for kids spreading seeds.
Columbine:
As a very small child I thought they were homes for fairies, even thought I could hear them talking. The start of a lifelong love and appreciation for flowers.
Forget-me-not:
Colour of the sky, true blue, Dave’s fave flower as well.
Anna
Hi dear Anna:Thank you for your delightful note. My heart did a little leap when it spotted the word Columbine, a favourite of my grandmother’s and one of the reasons I wanted to buy a small cottage on Gabriola – the backyard was filled with columbine. I didn’t get to buy that cottage but coincidentally I did get to live in it. And it also had the others- forget-me-nots, dandelions, violets, hollyhock and more. Paradise. Warmly, Trudy