Flowers, Just Because...

So, I asked The Cajun to pick up some milk and bread on the way home yesterday and he showed up with these. It's an all red mix - so pretty.

When I was working, it was always a Very Big Deal when one of us received flowers. It usually meant a new beau for the single gals, an anniversary for the married ones of us, or maybe a birthday. The recipient would beam, the observers would feel a pang of jealousy, but everyone would fawn over them. And, when the flowers didn't have a set common reason for their being, eyebrows would raise and the inevitable "okay, what did he do?" would be raised!

When I asked The Cajun why the flowers, he said "no reason, just because." Aren't those the best kind of flowers to get? Though I have to be honest here and admit ... I did wonder if there was something that he is atoning for I am yet to know about.

So this weekend was the 4th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. What a milestone that was for my life because things certainly changed for me after that and in fact, they are still evolving today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

But ... as much of an event that was, today is an even bigger one, because today would have been my Mama's 73rd birthday.

She passed away 12 years ago from cancer - so young, only 61.

And, while I still today miss her tremendously and I grieve the things she has missed - like the adult her grandson has become, his wedding and becoming a great-grandma, to name a few - I also sense her presence in my life regularly, and I know in my soul that I will one day see her again. It was hard when Mama passed away - my father died a few years before her, and even though losing your Daddy is hard, losing your Mom is much, much more difficult. There is just a connection there between mother and child that is broken and it leaves a hole in your heart that cannot be fixed. You just learn to live with the grief.

Happy Birthday Mother

It's sure to be the best one yet,
Though you left me here behind.
Did you think that I'd forget?

Your cake this year, will surely be,
A beauty to behold.
With the icing made of Silver,
And the candles made of Gold.

Yes your birthday in Heaven,
Will be such a grand affair.
And I know you'll look so lovely,
With a halo in your hair.

The Angels will come from everywhere,
To sing your birthday song.
And I know they'll be so happy,
That you've joined, God's Happy Throng.

No I can't send a card this year,
Or give a gift so fine.
So I'll just send a special prayer,
To that wonderful mother of mine.

Winnie Lovett 1968