It's hot and sunny outside and because of antibiotics I have to shield myself from the sun. I am a lot more indoors than I like to but I still am nourishing myself with nature. These are flowers I have grown from seed. I picked them today as a birthdaygift for a friend.
I have similar flowers on our dining table. And I treasure them. When I seeded them indoors in early spring I was quite emotional: so grateful that I had survived cancer and yet also a bit anxious would I not seed the flowers for my own coffin? The plants have grown through a harsh spring and are now in my garden. 2 weeks ago I cut some beautiful flowers for my mother-in-law. She was dying at 88 yrs. She was a closed woman, who had quit isolated herself in her last years. But there was one thing we both loved: nature. She lived alone among farmland and would always tell us about the hare, birds or deer she had seen. And she loved flowers, especially those from the garden. She died peacefully in hospital. She is buried in an old forest next to my father in law. We gave her body back to nature.
I now have a beautiful vase from her house filled with flowers from our garden. There is no better way to remember her. And each time I look at the flowers, my heart lifts for all the beautiful shapes and colours. And I feel grateful that I live to enjoy them.
Beautiful post. Connecting to nature for me is healing and peaceful, reminding me I am one with all the natural order of life - and death.
And flowers became very special when my daughter gathered up my mum's gorgeous garden blooms & made the coffin presentation. It was spectacular. Mum would have loved it that her own garden flowers adorned her coffin.
A lovely gentle post. Flowers always make me feel there is hope.
I’m glad you are getting to enjoy the seeds with the full circle of life and growth. Totzeins
Flowers are so magical. The beautification of the universe and yet also so touchingly ephemeral. No wonder we offer them at funerals and beside the dying.
I love your writing and your flower-like example MH. It makes me sit up and wake up.
It’s so easy to slump into a death-denying stupor. But flowers and the sharp-elbowed presence of our death are both great wake-ups.
Thank you.
What a beautiful way to remember your mother in law, and I'm sure your friend will love those gorgeous flowers. We can find joy in the most simple things all around us.
The flowers are beautiful, as is your writing, Mechteld. After my nan and grandad passed away, before their house was sold, my mum brought me some bluebell bulbs from their garden. They are now planted in my garden and spring into life gloriously every year. It always makes me think of my grandparents, and wonder if they are springing back into life somewhere, on some level, in some way too 🌹❤️
Those flowers are pure joy, and a lovely reminder of your mum in law ❤️
Beautiful flowers...Beautifully arranged!