In the Spring the peonies pop up from the ground in vibrant greens. As their big leafy stalks appear, I think of you. Memories come unbidden of sitting on your front porch in the Spring rain. I would rock slowly in the old iron chair that used to sit in your Dad’s lawn. Generational history unfolded as we sat and rocked and talked about the weather.

I noticed bulbs forming today and I thought of the large bushes in your yard and the Spring blooms. You showed me how to shake out the ants before we brought them in the house. You laughed when I read about using hairspray to drive out the ants, but we tried it anyway with some success. You smiled your shy smile when I told you how beautiful they were.

Peonies make me think of you when I see the large blooms and I think of how you doted on me. You made me feel like I was the most special child in the world. As I got older, our visits were less frequent. I moved. I had to hear from Mom how you passed out in the yard tending your plants. Visiting you in the nursing home, there were no blooms. But you did develop a passion for afternoon bingo and you never lost your spunk.

We lost you in the Springtime and when the florist in town told us they couldn’t get flowers for the funeral, I went to the city to place an order. Your grandson drove the large casket covering arrangement down in his suv. No one tells us our Grandma won’t have flowers at her funeral. And when they brought the large blanket of flowers in, covered in glorious pink and white peonies I smiled. Peonies always make me think of you….

And when my own daughter walked down the aisle with a bouquet dotted with peonies….you were with us. Just like this morning. I sip my coffee, smell the sweet fragrance of the flower we both love and think of you.