Growing up my parents loved planting flowers.
Living in a parsonage in Queens, NY they didn't have much space to plant many flowers, but they sure knew how to fill that little space with beautiful flowers.
One year, when I was a little girl I wanted to help.
But being a little girl, I think I got in the way more than I helped.
I wanted my own little garden.
My own little space.
My father patiently walked me over to this little area under the hedges that
separated our yard from the neighbors behind us.
He told me this could be my garden and
handed me a package of seeds and showed me how to plant them.
I carefully watered my seeds daily.
I talked to them daily.
I looked carefully every day for some sign of life.
And surprise, surprise, tiny little seedlings started popping up through the dirt in my little garden under the hedges in our house in Queens, NY.
I was so happy.
And you know what?
Every year those flowers came back!
Even the spring before I got married, those little flowers made their appearance.
The seeds he gave me were for Lily of the Valley flowers.
They stand for "Return of Happiness."
Every spring those flowers would return and we could see those flowers as
we sat at the kitchen table eating our meals.
Well, at least I always noticed them.
And I think my dad did also.
Thinking of those flowers now, they fill me with happiness.
Happiness for a father taking time out of his busy day to show
his little girl how to plant seeds,
but more importantly happiness knowing
how much this little girl was loved by her father.
Jennifer says
Hope you are having a great week - have been missing you. Just found out my son (the one who's deployment to UAE was cancelled!) is now headed to Afghanistan. Boo. Anyway, I thought of you - and think of all our military men often....thank you to them - and to all their families keeping it going back here at home!
Jackie says
What a great memory you have. Thanks for sharing it with all of us!
Jackie
Debbie says
Lois, so sweet! Made me cry to remember my own dad, who we lost last June 30, and my special memories with him. That's just the sweetest post! Think I'll get some Lily of the Valley seeds. You know, Jesus is called that name.
The Mommy says
Thanks Lois for catching that! I did write the whole blog post but blogger was having a hard time saving and it must have only saved half of it. I'll work on the rest.
Also, thank you for being such a Godly woman and obeying Christ as he says help teach the younger women. I wish I could duplicate you times 100 and bring you to Beaufort. So many young military wives with Parris Island being right here that NEED this.
Be blessed,
Lisa