Many thanks to all of you who have left comments, emails and sent cards. Your heartfelt thoughts and prayers truly have lifted our family up during this difficult time. My mother’s garden.
My mother’s garden
I thought I would share a few images of my mother’s beautiful garden.
My mother was “green” long before it was in style. When they tore down some old buildings in my hometown during the late ’70s and 80’s my mother loaded up the pickup truck with ancient brick destined for the landfill and refaced the front of my childhood home with a lovely bit of history.
My mother had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh.
The Original Junk Gypsy
My mother was repurposing everyday objects while most of today’s junk ladies were still in diapers.
My mother was a teacher and champion to the mentally challenged for over 30 years.
All of the earth’s creatures were treated with compassion and kindness by my mother.
My mother’s philosophy on life can be summed up in this photo: If you plant a few lovely flowers, then you won’t notice the crack in the sidewalk as much.
My mother single-handedly raised 5 children on the smallest of incomes. Yet when my biological mother grew too ill to care for me and eventually passed away, my mom, Nadine, somehow still found room in her heart and home for me.
For those of you who have read my blog over the past few years and have asked: “Where does your creativity come from?” Now you know my secret.
“Everything I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” ~Abraham Lincoln
But of all the blessings my mother bestowed upon me, the most life-changing is that of my relationship with Jesus. Because my mother would drag my butt out of bed every Sunday I am now comforted that through Him we will be apart for only a while.
Until then, she is still here, in my heart.
A Favorite Poem
Understandably, this unexpected loss has taken the wind out of my sails. I am not sure when I will return. I would like to leave you with one of my mother’s favorite poems by Helen Steiner Rice.
Life is like a garden
And friendship like a flower,
That blooms and grows in beauty
With the sunshine and the shower.
And lovely are the blossoms
That are tended with great care,
By those who work unselfishly
To make the place more fair.
And, like the garden blossoms,
Friendship’s flower grows more sweet
When watched and tended carefully
By those we know and meet.
And, if the seed of friendship
Is planted deep and true
And watched with understanding,
Friendship’s flower will bloom for you.
Be blessed, my dear friends,
Laura
wow. gorgeous!!!!!
What a lovely and touching post Laura. I have tears in my eyes but they are good tears.
Much love to you and your family,
LuLu♥
Oh Laura, that was a beautiful post and it sounds like your mother was an exceptionally beautiful mother!
God be with you!
Carolyn
Cottage Sunshine
What a beautiful tribute to your mother.
You have a very special angel watching over you.
God bless,
Marsha
Dear Laura,
You are soo blessed, you have your Dear Mother's beauty and grace..
Praying for you..
Adding my prayers for your comfort. Thank you for testifying of the resurrection through Jesus Christ. May you be blessed.
The loss of a dearly beloved parent always changes us profoundly. Remember that you carry a part of her inside even though you weren't “biologically” related. Yours was a very precious relationship because she chose you. Your blogging pals are here if you need us. Talking and venting is the best medicine, my friend.
That was a beautiful post, I feel like I got to know her in those pictures & words.
Again I am so sorry for your loss.
Thanks so much for sharing a piece of your mother with us. Her garden surely refelects her inner and outer beauty from what you have shared about her.
Take the time you need to mourn and do not let anyone or anything get in the way of this necessary process.
My thoughts and prayers are for you today.
Thanks so much for sharing a piece of your mother with us. Her garden surely refelects her inner and outer beauty from what you have shared about her.
Peace be unto your soul.
What a gorgeous place. You can see her love for life in her garden. We are praying for you here….I encourage you to take the time you need. We'll be here when you're ready to talk. Lisa~
Beautiful poem and photos! I really enjoyed (and laughed at) the picture of the tree face. It must have been fun growing up around all of that beauty!
Laura,
I wish we could sit along side each other in silence on my porch and look out across the fields under the big blue sky on this beautiful April day. I would whisper the prayer I say the most: Thank you.
Thank you Nadine for your nurturing, maternal love that you gave my friend. Thank you God for giving my friend to me.
Deborah
Dear Laura, So glad your sweet mom is nestled so snugly in your heart. My prayers are with you for strength and comfort. Thank you for your wonderful testimony.
love, in Jesus,
Debra
Laura, You have been in my heart these past few difficult days. Thank you for this touching, heart-felt post so that we might get to know and appreciate more about your Mother and her pivotal role in your life. Only through my personal relationship with Christ have I had the comfort and peace to carry on without my Mother, my best friend. But you know what? The love and prayers of my blog friends have allowed me to share her and reminisce with all of you and yes, in time help someone else who is struggling with the same grief. If I can help you in any way, please call on me. You remain in my prayers Laura. Love, Mildred Nalley
She sounds like a wonderful woman. Take all the time you need..we are here. Glad you are home safe…..
Sweet Laura, I am saddened to learn of the loss of your Mother. She is sitting at the feet of Jesus, sweetie.
What a beautiful presentation of your Mother's gardens/florals. Our parents were eco/recyclable before anyone thought of it, for sure. I remember the old coal bucket being made into a planter for the porch.
Your Mother lives forever in your memory, to treasure & recall loving moments, Laura. Hold them dear …
Love & prayers to you, Marydon
That is simply beautiful and a wonderful tribute to your mom. And she did give you the best gift of all–a saving knowledge of Jesus, and because of it, you will see her again :).
This is a lovely tribute to your mother, Laura. Grieving is hard and painful and takes time, often longer than we think. Treat yourself gently, let grief mingle with comfort and healing.
Lorrie
Your Mother sounds like a remarkable woman.
Laura,
You are and were indeed blessed to share your life with this amazing woman. your tribute to her is just beautiful. Still holding you in my thoughts and prayers. Take all the time you need, we will all still be here when you return. Blessings, beauty, and bliss be yours in the days to come.
Laura,
What a beautiful tribute to your wonderful, talented mother. She surely was special, evident in her appreciation for nature's beauty and her generous love for you and all her children.
When we lose our mothers we lose a large peice of ourselves, but their sweet memories sustain us and inspire us to be the best we can be.
Take care and take time.
Laura, I send my love on the wind as your Mother sends her's on everything you do.. from the rain on your 'kissing' your cheek, the the breeze hugging you when you least expect it. Special blooms that smell just like her perfume.
May this time with your family and in her garden bring you comfort.
with love,
Olivia
Oh Laura, I am crying for you. I love my mother so much and take her so for granted. I promise I won't anymore.
Psalm 91:1 & 4 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Much Love!
~Liz
I am very touched by this tribute to your mother. There are several really good reminders and lessons in this tribute. Her garden is beautiful. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Laura,
You have been in my thoughts and prayers since I read the news of your Mom on your blog. These photos are absolutely beautiful…and I thank you for sharing them with us… {{{hugs}}} and love to you! :):):)
Hi Laura!!!
Oh how sad I was to hear about this, your darling Mom passing away and going home to heaven, yes you two will be reunited one day.
I have a card for you as well and it will be on it's way tomorrow, sorry for the delay, I was busy last week with my horrible procedure, don't ask, it's yucky!!!!
Hugs to you my dear sweet friend
and I send you love from up above
jamie
Oh, Laura, my heart is breaking for you at the loss of your dear mother. What a beautiful tribute you've given her here. She was truly an angel mother! How blessed we are to be filled with hope through Jesus that we will see our loved ones again some day.
Cherish the precious memories you have of your angel mother. She'll always be with you.
You're in my prayers, Dear One.
Blessings,
Shelia 😉
Beautiful post and tribute to your sweet Mom. Such a pretty garden she had. I know you really miss her, but you will be with her again someday in heaven. I will look forward to seeing you when you decide to return. Love & blessings from NC!
Beautiful garden. Wonderful woman. Loving tribute.
Sending you hugs.
(I love her life philosophy. Can I borrow that?)
What a beautiful garden.
Fantastic tribute. =D
Dear Laura,
My heart ached for you as I read your inspiring words and gazed upon the beautiful gardens your mother's genius created. Peace be with you, dear blog friend.
Thank you for sharing all of you and your Mom with “us” as I now feel comforted through your blog tribute to your special Mom. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you.
This is a beautiful, beautiful tribute to your mother. I am so very sorry to learn of her death. My mother died ten years ago, and her death was very difficult for me, even though it was not at all unexpected. But for you to lose your mom with no warning. . . my heart breaks for you.
I am grateful that your mother's heart was so good and generous. What a gift she gave to the world when she took you into your home–she reared you to be the lovely woman you are today. We are all in her debt.
What a beautiful tribute to your Mom. Wishing you peace.
Hi Laura, I enjoyed seeing the beauty of your Mother's garden. I hope your wonderful memories will soothe your broken heart and lift you up. I hope to see you back soon! Suzie
Oh, Jesus, please be with my dear friend, Laura… minister Your healing touch and comfort to her heart, and Lord, fill her with your peace that passes all understanding so she can wait and rest in You, with all of her heart, soul, mind and strength. Bless and keep her and her family safe and in the shadow of your wings during this time. And, Jesus, help her to feel Your presence so tangibly, that it expresses the hugs of the rest of us who have come to care for her so much. Thank you, Precious and faithful Lord. I love you… Love you, too, Laura…
By the way… Your mother's garden is beautiful and full of so many unique and amazing personal touches. i adore her sense of humor, just for the face on the tree!!! Thank you for sharing…
Hello my friend. 🙂 I have had you on my mind almost daily, since your mom's passing. I'm so glad she was a Christian lady, I imagine it makes the unbearable more bearable, when you think that you will see her again in Heaven. It's comforting to have that eternal blessed hope. 🙂
Your mom's garden is amazing…just lovely…what a gift she left behind. She sounds like a wonderful lady and I mourn your loss with you. I truly hope you don't stay away for long, I'll miss reading what's going on in your life and your heart. Please know that I will be praying for you….
Love ya my friend
Melissa 🙂
a beautiful garden!
Oh Laura, you made this post into a beautiful tribute to your mom, she would have been so proud of you. Wishing you strength to cope with this loss, hoping that the fond memories will prevail, maybe not now, but in due course. Thinking of you, hugs LiLi
What a beautiful tribute to you wonderful mother. That garden speaks volumes. What a lovely person she must have been!!
Laura,
This is a most beautiful tribute to your wonderful Mom. My heart goes out to you, that the Lord would fill you with peace and comfort now and in the days ahead.
Love,
Linda
Your blog its amazing!!!!!
I love it!!!!!!
An incredibly beautiful sentiment.
May God give you strength and comfort at this time.
Brightest blessings,
Pat
You were truly blessed to have such a mother as she was truly blessed to have such a daughter.Apart but for a while is a nice thought.May you find comfort in your memories of her.
Mrs. Laura, I am just reading this. I am so sorry for your loss. This was truly a beautiful tribute to your mother! Thank you for sharing it.
Your in my prayers.
Laura – my heart breaks for you. I have a lump in my throat just reading your words. I can only imagine your grief. Your mother, Nadine, sounds like a beautiful woman that left a legacy that will be cherished forever. I need to catch up on your posts. You are a beautiful writer and I've never read anything you've written that didn't touch the corners of my soul. God be with you, dear Laura.
I've been browsing your posts….so sorry for the loss of your sweet mother. She sounds like she was an amazing woman and because of your words, she will live on and on. Thank you for sharing her with us.
The garden photos are just breathtaking!
LaurieAnna