Friday Favorite: My Mom
If you’ve been reading here long, you know that my mom is an avid gardener. She cultivated my love of gardening from an early age. Whenever she went to the greenhouse to get annuals for the flowerbeds, I was allowed to pick out a six pack to plant. When we ordered seeds for the edible garden, we were each allowed to choose some variety of vegetable to grow (I remember always choosing something blue for some reason). When I lived in Ohio we cultivated an edible garden space in her yard together.
My mom battled breast cancer six years ago, it metastasized to her bones last year. She was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer last September, after discussing various options she decided she only wanted palliative care. Her last 8 months of life were good, considering what she was fighting. Her battle with cancer ended on May 19th, four days after my parents celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary.
She lives on in the gardens, both at her house and in mine. My garden is filled with plants I got from her, her garden is filled with plants she got from me, both of our gardens contain plants we got from her mother’s garden. We enjoyed gardening together, we enjoyed visiting gardens together. She will be sorely missed.
I’m so very sorry, Susy. I wish you gentle passage through this difficult time.
to kristin @ going country's comment
I am so very sorry for your loss, and for what your family has gone through. Your grace, and love for her have shown through on this blog.
to Mc's comment
Oh Susy! This brought tears to my eyes. May His love and your memories cultivate peace.
to Emily's comment
I am sorry to read of your mother’s passing, you so gracefully let us know that she was getting worse as your trips became more frequent.
Her love for garden and plants and her family are gifts you share so generously with us.
Peace be with you!
to Marina's comment
Susy, I’m sorry for your loss. I’m glad for you that you have such great memories and such a wonderful legacy from your mother.
to bonnie knox's comment
What a beautiful tribute for you to hold close. Thank you for sharing some of her story with us and for sharing your love of family and gardening with us too.
to PennyAshevilleNC's comment
Sorry for your loss, and thank you for sharing your wonderful memories.
to Sara's comment
So sorry to hear of the passing of your mum, you have many beautiful memories , I hope they bring you comfort at this difficult time. xx
to Brenda's comment
I’m so sorry for your loss. The garden is a beautiful way to keep your mom in your life.
to Jill Donald's comment
Oh Susy. :( I’m so sorry. I had been wondering how she was doing but I didn’t realize she had passed. Many good thoughts to you and your family.
to Misti's comment
May your gardens bring you comfort and peace through this difficult time! 🌸🌱🌺
to Kathi Cook's comment
Oh Susy…..that made me cry. I have been wondering about her. I am so sorry. Thank you very much for sharing her with us. Praying for you and your family. She will live on through you and your gardens.
to Lori's comment
Losing our mothers has to be one of the most heartbreaking things I know of. I am so glad you had these past several months to be with, say good-bye to and cherish each moment with your Mom. She will continue to bloom in your garden. Time will lessen the grief but never the love…My condolences to you and your family.
to Chris's comment
Oh I’m so sorry, Susy. I know your garden will comfort you through the years, but there’s no real comfort at times like these. My heart goes out to you and your family. All my love, Jill
to Jill's comment
So sorry to hear about your loss, Susy. Your mother’s spirit will live on in your gardens.
to Savitha's comment
My sympathy for the death of your mother. May you be filled with pleasant memories each time you tend the plants you got from her.
to Karen's comment
I’m so very sorry Susy :(
to Jaye Whitney's comment
I’ve always enjoyed reading about you and your mom’s shared love of plants and gardening. From looking at your parents’ wedding photo it looks like she might have given you some of your spunk and spirit, too :). I am sorry for your loss and will be thinking of you and your family. 💛
to Wendy's comment
Meeting you and your mom a few years ago at Heronwood is still one of my best days ever. She gave you an awesome gift when she sparked your interest in gardening…not only one that can help nourish you and Brian but also one that can sustain your relationship and connection with her. May she be at peace. Our condolences to you and your family.
to Whit's comment
Praying for peace and comfort for you .
to Tracy's comment
I am truly sorry for your loss of your mother. My thoughts are with you XO
to Kellie steele's comment
I’m so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my heart and prayers.
to Melanie G's comment
Life is never quite the same. I’m sorry for your loss and I appreciate that you share your stories of her and photos of your plants you shared together with us. I lost my mother to cancer 18 years ago. Some of her plants are still here in my garden and home and are a little more special each year.
to Robin's comment
So sorry for your loss. Our mothers are such an important influence on our lives and I’m so glad you have such happy memories of yours, as I do.
to Patricia Forsythe's comment
I am so incredibly sorry. :(
to Marisa's comment
Susy,
I do not know you, but I have been following your lovely chiotsrun for over a year. I got on today and read your post about your mother. I am so sorry for your loss. I could tell in your writing how much she meant to you, and all the many things that you shared together. What a blessing to have all those memories, and garden shares that continue on. God bless you and your family during this hard time!
to Lynell's comment
Susy, I know you and your mother had a special connection not just through gardening but through many other ways as well. Both my mother and father died of cancer. Mom went first then some years later Dad went. My family seems to have a history of cancer that puts us down in the middle 80s if not younger. In Mom’s case it was 69. Dad made it to 86. At first there’s a tremendous hole in life where the ones that were always the strong, caring, seeming to always have the answers lived.
You are surrounded by the best memories of Mom and Grand-mom with plants that will continue for the rest of your garden life. Someday those tearful memories will bring smiles instead.
Have the best day that you can.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
Isn’t it wonderful that the people we love can live on through beautiful, living creations? As a breast cancer survivor I have learned to live every day to it’s fullest. Sounds like your mom did the same. How lucky she was to be so loved. My deepest condolences to you and those who loved her.
to Lisa Ghenne's comment
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
to Carol's comment
Im so sorry for your loss. What wonderful memories you have made together, in an out of the garden, and how you must miss her already.
to Kara's comment
My mother loved yellow flowers. And she had a lot of butterfly sun catchers and chimes. So I grow daffodils in her memory, and have some butterfly garden art around. I have many plants from my friends and family that I took with me to this new house (10 years now) from the farm where we lived with my parents in a garage turned cottage. The farm originally belonged to my paternal grandmother who taught my father and then me to love planting vegetables and flowers. So many memories of helping my grandmother and father in the garden. And so many memories of my mother. You will be much comforted by the many happy memories of your mother and grandmother and your gardens.
to Kathy's comment
I am very sorry for your loss. It sounds like she will live on in your garden and others for a long time.
to Lenore's comment
I’m so sorry for your loss. How wonderful you had all those years sharing that interest with your mom.
to Ghislaine's comment
I’m so sorry Susy-thinking of you today-
to Jennifer's comment