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
ClassyChassy says
I love this story - and our little lillies are just starting to poke up from the ground after napping all winter! They will smell so lovely - such a delicate looking flower they produce!
Sara says
Delightful. My boys and I planted a wild flower garden this spring as well.I wanted to thank you for being a part of my first year of blogging! What a wonderful year it has been. I'm throwing a little party and as an honored guest, I would love for you to stop by and share a highlight of your year with all of us.<br /
jamjar says
What a great post!!! I am a sucker for posts like this...Always fighting but a tear and an "OOHHHH"...Anyway with regard to mulch: what you see in the picture isn't really mulch but compost that has gone completely down to dirt yet. I haven't tried mulch around anything but my watermelon and cantaloup. They have don't fine but I can't really comment as an expert. Is mulch ever made out of treated wood? Doc says treated wood will stunt vegetables. I'm no really much help!
cindy says
You are truly blessed! Does your parents still live in the house?
Cindy-
Busy Mom in NJ says
What a beautiful story! Think I need to plant some seeds with Chris. Have a great day!
Tiffanee says
Very sweet and what beautiful flowers. What a great meaning and memory. Thanks for touching my heart today!
Sandra says
These are some of my favorite flowers and loved your story. You and yours are in my prayers.
Cinner says
Hi Lois, lovely story, I never knew they stand for return of happiness. a lovely memory of you and your father and the love you shared. big hug my friend. take care.
Jess says
Thank you for sharing such a powerful testimony of your Father's love! How blessed you are! It reminded me of an incident with my daughter when she wanted to plant some lemon seeds straight from a lemon.
I'll have to post about it!
Hope your Sabbath is a great blessing to you and kids and praying for the Colonel to be safe and come home soon.
Love always,
Jess
BECKY says
How precious, Lois! You were certainly blessed with a wonderful Dad!! And he with a very special daughter!!
I just LOVE flowers of all kinds...my kids will tell you I'm obsessed with flowers and birds!! But not really. I just truly enjoy their beauty, and God's creativity in making them all for us to enjoy!!
Have a joy-filled Sunday, sweetie, and thank you for all of your love and prayers! It means so much!
Love you,
Becky
There Is No Place Like Home says
Lois, I love this story! How sweet, it reminds me of my dad and the little things he did for me...thank you for sharing!
Beautiful pear tree lane says
Hi Lois,
What a beautiful memory, it rekindled one of mine, as my dear grandmother did something similar for me, they were zinnas, and to this day I plant them each year. I always love it when you tell stories of your Father, as I was so close to mine as well. Beautiful post.
Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to leave me such a sweet comment.I am so glad to be able to visit again
Enjoy your weekend.
Hugs,
Sue
Nellie's Cozy place says
Hi Lois,
Good to see you post, and what a sweet and precious story about your daddy. He sounds like a wonderful man. Sweet that he was so patient and loving!!
I think lily of the valley are so lovely, and sweet looking. Don't they smell really sweet as well.
I have never actually smelled any, or seen them only in pictures.
Hope you are doing well Sweetie,
Have a good weekend,
Blessings Galore,
nellie
Jennifer says
How precious - every year "return of happiness" came up again! Such a precious memory..
Elena says
What a beautiful story! I had my own little secrect garden when I was a young girl and it brought me so much pleasure. I just Lilly of the Valley flowers!
LDH says
A most precious post! I am smiling all over!
Loretta says
I'll bet they are still blooming back in Queens. You have inspired me to go out this morning and plant some seeds. I don't have Lily of the Valley so Cosmos will have to do. Thank you for sharing. You have blessed us all with this beautiful story. Hugs
Lianne says
Those flowers are beautiful. What a special gift for a father to give his daughter! I am so thankful for the times I worked planting seeds with my Daddy when I was a little girl, too. Have a great weekend, friend!
Debbie says
Oh I LOVED this sweet story. Your right, it is a wonderful reminder (year after year) of the love your daddy had for you, AND the faithfulness of God AND His great love for you too. Just doesn't get much better. Have a wonderful week-end...HUGS
A Hint of Home says
What beautiful memories you will always have. The love of a father is not forgotten.
Thanks for sharing such a sweet memory.
Liesa says
What a precious and wonderful memory Lois! 🙂
Miss Debbie says
Such a sweet story and a precious memory of a special time with your father. It is also a beautiful picture of faithfulness, don't you think? Those little flowers coming back year after year, blooming in the same little place(under the hedges)to bless you... a reminder of your earthly father's love and your Heavenly Father's love.We know God is faithful, sounds like your dad was, too!
Carmen C. says
How awesome, I love lily of the valley, they smell so wonderful!!! In response to your comment, NO, we didn't get the property for 10, 000. we offered 10,000. less than the asking price, I *wish* it were only that much, it could be paid off by now, LOL! Enjoy your day:)
At Home With Amy says
I think I'm gonna cry Lois. That was a beautiful story.
Have a lovely day.
AMY
Chatty Crone says
That was a wonderful story about the love between a father and his daughter. Value it - not everyone has that memory. I like that he taught you something good - that will last!
sandie♥
Christine says
That so touching! I love the lily of the valley flowers.
The first I tried to grow when a child in a little rock garden were primroses and when I see them it takes me back! Fond memories are so precious!
Blessings for a great week
Christine
Cat Nap Inn Primitives says
I think they are pretty..but boy do they spread...I tried digging them out last year and I have more this year....:)thank you for telling me the name of them..;)
Linda C says
what a beautiful story of your father's love for you, Lois! So sweet! And the Lily of the Valley is so pretty!! I didn't realize it would return each year.
Thanks for sharing this precious story that is so close to your heart.
Have a great weekend:)
Linda
Loretta says
What a sweet memory to have of your Father.
Linda says
Oh how sweet a story. I love Lilly of the Valley. I was at a friends last week and she has some growing. She loves them and even though they don't grow great in the south, they grow.