We’ve spent a decade-ish here, in this home and space, and the children have traveled the door frame in our entryway inch by inch, each black mark a year’s worth of growth.
When we first came, the flowers were lovely. Planted by the woman before me, snow-on-the-mountain and daisies and my favourite, peonies.
But the boys were small and running and climbing, and the peonies, bless their hearts, were smack under the big tree in the back yard. The one perfect for climbing and swinging, and the peonies were trampled the first year.
And the second and on and on, until now.
Today I walk outside on my fiftieth birthday and find this bloom. White and showy and I think of her character, strong and persistent enough to outlast the onslaught of three boys and their friends and ten years of neglect.
It’s a gift, I know, the tiny heart ache for the years behind of boys running and climbing.
It’s a gift, I know, the children growing and the flowers blooming again.
July 8, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful gift.
July 8, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Thanks, Kathleen:)
July 8, 2013 at 2:12 pm
It is your birthday but your words have gifted me! Way to celebrate and reflect.
July 9, 2013 at 9:54 am
Thank you so much for stopping by, and for sharing this! I appreciate your words.
July 8, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Happy Birthday Janelle! Your blog is a gift to us all.
July 9, 2013 at 9:53 am
Thanks, Aunt Linda:)
July 8, 2013 at 2:36 pm
Happy Birthday! What a gift! You would have to be one of my gifts this year…so happy to have met you! I enjoy your blog so much. Have a wonderful year. Grace and Peace
July 9, 2013 at 9:55 am
Ann, you have been the gift! Thank you for your blessing today.
July 8, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Happy Birthday! and many happy returns xx
July 9, 2013 at 9:56 am
Thank you, dear friend. You and your wonderful hubby are in my thoughts and prayers daily.
July 9, 2013 at 11:15 am
He is looking better. I am hopeful the easy solution is working 🙂 so what did you do with your special day and how does it feel to be the bog 50? x
July 9, 2013 at 11:26 am
I’m glad to hear he’s a bit better. Fingers crossed. My day was quiet. The boys were all away at summer things, Lyndon was at work, and I was actually recovering from a flu on the weekend. So not much celebrating, but we will later. It actually was not as hard turning 50 as it was turning 40. I don’t know why? Resigned, maybe:)
July 9, 2013 at 11:27 am
Get well soon and I look forward to seeing and hearing about the celebrations in your own unique way 🙂
July 9, 2013 at 11:16 am
*big
July 8, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Happy Birthday dear Janelle! Peonies are my favourites too! I hope you have a wonderful day!
July 9, 2013 at 9:56 am
I love them! I was so excited to see this one blooming:)
July 8, 2013 at 6:38 pm
What a lovely way to think about your life as a mother, and getting older. I’m not far behind you, and I also find the process of aging and watching my kids grow up to be bittersweet. I enjoy the time more, the less I have of it 🙂 Happy birthday!
July 9, 2013 at 9:57 am
I think the word “bittersweet” was made for mothers:) Thank you, Miriam.
July 8, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Happy Birthday Janelle, the flowers bloomed for you.
July 9, 2013 at 9:58 am
Yes they did, Pamela. Thank you, dear friend.
July 11, 2013 at 11:03 pm
Happy Birthday. I hope you had a wonderful day.
July 15, 2013 at 8:14 am
I did, Susan. Thank you!