Sunday, May 10, 2009

In Honor of Our Mothers

My hope today is that of the mothers that read my blog will have a very, very special day. For those of you who have lost your moms, may precious memories fill your hearts.

I picked this gorgeous full blown peony to honor our mothers.  Thursday afternoon I was strolling around the Birmingham Botanical Gardens seeing what was in bloom.  A nice lady stopped me and said, "The peonies are GORGEOUS, go right up that path!".  I smelled their sweet frangrance before I ever saw them.  How right she was.  I had a hard time tearing myself away.

The bottom photo is a rare family shot.  Usually the grandchildren are the subject of all our photos, and I rarely make an appearance in front of the camera!  My son- in- law Jason, caught my daughters Kathleen and Melissa with me on Easter. They are both terrific moms and I am very proud of them.  I wanted you to meet them.  They're going to strangle me for posting it.  Shhhh, don't tell them!!

I leave  you with some words of wisdom from one of my all time favorite authors, Erma Bombeck.  I regret I never got to meet her. I think we were kindred spirits!

“When your mother asks, "Do you want a piece of advice?" it is a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway.”
I resemble that remark.

14 days from today, we'll be staggering around Charles DeGaulle Airport,  bleary- eyed and sleep deprived looking for a  French taxi driver that drives an SUV capable of hauling all of our luggage. HA!  How do you say , "When pigs fly"  en français?

Merci Alice for: "When pigs fly" or "Quand les poules auront des dents" ("When hens have teeth")

17 comments:

PJ said...

Happy Mothers Day, Virginia! That peony is paean to the spirit of mums everywhere, full and generous. Jason has given you a beautiful family portrait and I know you'll have a wonderful time together in France.

Lori Skoog said...

Virginia...not only are the two photos BEAUTIFUL, your words are too (so are Erma's). Have a great trip.

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day dear Virg.(More than a passing resemblance in that family!)

alice said...

Happy Mother's Day to you, Virginia, and to your daughters! In France, it will be the 7th of June.
I do hope I'll have the opportunity to come in Paris and to see you again... In the moment, all my energy is with my son who has his competitive examination in ten days...Keep your fingers crossed with me!
And I think we could translate "When pigs fly" in "Quand les poules auront des dents" (="When hens have teeth")

Kate said...

Both photos are delightful; the photo of the blooming faces of your daughters (and yours, too,)are a wonderful companion to the peony!!

Ken Mac said...

Great shot V! I sense your daughters share your spirit and love of life. Back to Paris!!

Virginia said...

Alice,
Oh yes we must find time together this trip! My fingers are all crossed for your son. It seems like only yesterday that he was having exams. More already???
I love your French saying. Will try and learn it!
V

Thanks everyone. We had a fun luncheon together today. None of us had to cook. Yeah!!!!

Marie-Noyale said...

Happy Mother's Day...evening Virginia!
It's a nice day when we don't have to cook!!!
It must be a very nice feeling to spend mother's day with your daughters who are mothers too...
Jason had a great idea,
What a lovely picture,it's a keeper and a framer!!

Lowell said...

Thanks for a wonderful Mother's Day post, V.

And for your kind comments at Cedar Key DP. Yes, Florida is "Hog heaven" so to speak.

And I'm very jealous of you getting to trounce around Paris! But I hope you have a fantastic experience! How could you not?

Oh, I forgot the cabbies.

Ken Mac said...

Hey V, thanks for your nice comments re my Mother's Day blog entry today. Actually my mom is very sick with a neuromuscular illness. Your words made me feel good.

Virginia said...

KM,
I am so very, very sorry to hear that. Words are all we bloggers have to offer each other. I'm happy that mine helped.
V

Jill said...

Blessings to you V. I follow your upcoming trip with enthusiasm and delight. Love the photo with your daughters.

Pat said...

Happy Mother's Day to you, Virginia. Your peony is just beautiful. I love the color. Peonies are my next favorite flower...after lilacs.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Manx time again, belated MD. Lovely portrait of the relunctant subjects.

Tash said...

Oh, I adore the photo of the 3 of you almost as much as the one of your 5 grandkids together (I know, cannot help but forever be upstaged by the children.) It's so very sweet! I can see that you are so proud of them.

FireLight said...

V, I DID see this Sunday and it made me determined to get in my own Mother's Day Post. Then I read Willow'a meme, and it was the idea I needed. Your daughters and you are so beautiful....I can "feel the love" as my students like to say...

Maya said...

Awww, y'all look so cute in that photo! Happy Mother's Day (a bit late)!