This is the post I was working on yesterday a little before 3pm.
I was tweaking pictures and spell checking and making sure that the paragraphs were not too long and nothing was too “wordy.”
“Wordy” is how my dearest Hubbs has often described me. So I try to make sure this inherit
personality trait does not transfer over to my posts. (“try” being the key word) 🙂
The post I was working on yesterday was about my journey through the grocery store over the weekend with a 7 year old, a 3 year old, and an 11-month old. My grandloves, all three in tow.
(Well, two were in tow and one was on the hip.)
I only needed a few items, and when we went to check out – the 7-year old (my sweet Cole Man) picked up some fresh flowers from a bucket at the checkout.
He said “Grammy, you need these.”
I asked him why, and he said “because flowers make a home smell good.” I told him we would pick some flowers at home. I had some special flowers in mind.
First, I cut some sprigs of ivy and then a few stems of rosemary. Then I took Cole and Roo over to the azaleas. The last of the Spring blooms have almost faded, but there were just enough to get a small bundle, and a few to wear in our hair while we were at it. 🙂
The first thing that Cole said to me was,
“Grammy they don’t smell. I want flowers that
smell good.”
I said to him…”No, azaleas don’t have a smell, but they are pretty and isn’t that what counts?”
He looked pensive, giving it as much thought as his little 7-year old brain could muster.
After a few seconds he said… “No, I want different flowers. How will the house smell good?”
I gave this some thought. How do you explain to two 7-year and 3-year old little boys that sometimes beauty is in the eye of the beholder?
How does an adult explain philosophical ideals when it is hard for an adult to understand them at times.
We went back inside and as I started adding the flowers to the small glass vases, I thought of something.
I held the underside of my wrist to them and told them to smell it. “Do you know how Grammy puts on her perfume here sometimes?” I asked.
They both took big sniffs. “I don’t smell anyfing,” Roo said.
“I know,” I replied. “But do you still think I’m pretty?”
“I think you’re pretty, Grammy.” “No, I think you’re pretty.” “No, I said it first.” “No, I said it first, it’s my Grammy.” “No, you’re a butthead and its my Grammy.”
Well, you get the idea how it went from there. 🙂
I said to them, “So, you see…things do not always have to be a certain way, or smell a certain way to still be pretty. Does that make sense?”
I held up the filled vase and asked them if they liked the flowers.
It didn’t really matter, because by then they were already running off with their Transformers and their Legos. Pretty flowers that didn’t really smell were a thing of the past.
So this brings me back to full circle. Where I left off yesterday. Before I hit the publish button on April 15th, 2013 – they announced the horrific news about the bombings at the Boston Marathon. I sat there, like the rest of America, in utter shock and disbelief – and ultimately heartbroken – that this was happening to our beloved Country, once again.
I wish I could as easily explain about flowers that don’t smell as about evil people who hate us and want to cause us harm at all costs.
I wish they could always know the simple innocence of picking azaleas in Grammy and Grandpa’s yard – and wearing Spring blossoms
in their hair.
I wish.
Keeping all the victims and their families in my thoughts and prayers.
I hope your day is a blessed one… filled with simple pleasures… like small vases filled with flowers that don’t smell, but look real pretty. 🙂 xxoo
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Kathysue says
Barb, what a beautiful post! I love the way you tell stories with such heart, xo kathysue
View CommentMichele @ The Nest at Finch Rest says
This post was a masterpiece.
And yes, you are very pretty, Grammy.
Hugs.
View CommentCeekay-THINKIN of HOME/Doublewide Decor says
Wonderful post…and I still am teary over yesterday…I don’t want it to happen ever again…wishful thinking…but I still wish it!
View CommentAngela says
Love the container! I hope you had a great weekend with your grandkids!!
View CommentAngela
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Such a precious post. It so reminds me of all the time spent with my grands, and how much fun. Love your flowers, even if they don’t smell and the bottle in the carrier are fabulous. Hugs, Marty
View CommentCindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home says
Such a sweet post! Love your tote full of vases…so cute! Hope you’ll come share at Amaze Me Monday!
View CommentBlessings,
Cindy
Shelia says
Hi Barb! I loved your sweet grands story about the flowers! I’m a tad jealous that you get to be with your little grands! 🙂 The azaleas are so beautiful! Hope you’re doing well.
View Commentbe a sweetie,
Shelia 🙂
Rattlebridge Farm says
So wise, Barb. Such a great post. Your vase tote is gorgeous.
View CommentSuzy Handgraaf says
Great post, Barb. Very well said. I know that you know that the seeds you are planting in the minds of your little babes will surely sprout one day – even if they don’t seem all that interested at their tender age. xo
View CommentBabs says
Sweet post, Barb, and your little floral arrangement is really pretty. Have a great weekend,
View CommentBabs
Anne says
awwww so cute! Love this post (and that centerpiece is magnificent!)
View Commentmalia says
Your photography is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing this meaningful post.
View Comment