Mom's Favorite Flower
One of My Favorite Memories
Though he is not allowed to wander far, my son rounds the corner and hands me a beautiful red rose, obviously from a neighbor's garden.
Not to be outdone, his older sister hands me another beautiful flower, probably from the same neighbor's garden.
My 3-year old, unaware of where her older siblings found these treasures, searches and searches until, beaming with pride, she emerges from the corner of the house to drop remnants of dead dandelions in my hand.
I fawn over them as I did over the other gifts bestowed upon me by my babies.
Years later, I sit in a Dairy Queen parking lot with my youngest daughter, when a little girl approaches my window. Her father smiles bashfully as he watches his daughter hand a perfect stranger a precious gift, a memory. The dandelion sits in my palm, a lovely reminder of that warm sunny day when my children placed their gifts in my hand.
Today my grandchildren - their parents the givers of more than a dozen bouquets of dandelions - carry on the tradition. I gratefully place each droopy dandelion in a glass, careful not to drown the bugs flitting around the yellow flowered weed.
My children are grown now. I miss our daily contacts, especially those with my Marine son who is often stationed overseas or living across the country. I long for the day he comes home.
And if he brings me nothing else, I would welcome with laughter and tears another red rose, or even a handful of bug-infested dandelions, my favorite "flower."
Published by Theresa Wiza
Surviving breast cancer. Winner of FIRST EVER Writer's Digest Script Notes Spinoff Contest. Spiritual, creative, compassionate, inventive. Lots of children & grandchildren who are all the loves of my life.... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentBeautifully written. :-)
Sweet. I like dandelions, but I wish they'd grow in just one place in our garden!
Awh, such a nice story...well done!
A wonderful sketch. I hope your son makes it back, safe& sound.
Very sweet.
Oh., that is so touching and so familiar, Theresa. I always saved the precious dandelion gifts in a tiny vase, too. Recently a child at the Boys & Girls club gathered a few for me. My hands were full & I was trying to oversee a bunch of kids on the playground. I showed my appreciation & then absentmindedly stuck them in my pocket! Later, the little flower-bearer came over asking where my dandelions were. Oops. Suddenly I remembered & tried to say confidently, "I kept them safe here," as I pulled the bedraggled weeds from my pocket. The child looked shocked. "You don't save flowers in your pocket!" Acting amazed, I said, "Oh my gosh, you're right! I better go put them in water right now!" So I straightened them a bit & carefully placed them in a small paper cup of water, so I could show the little boy they were treasured. He must've thought this poor staff was an idiot! Great picture here. My heart goes out to you. May you & your son be blessed w/ his safe return.
A very sweet story. I hope your son comes home soon.
I pray your son comes home safe and sound... and with dandelions in his hands :)
all mothers can relate to this one!
Cute story!