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.
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