Flowers make memories! Recently I went to my parent’s farmstead, and in the yard were two lilac bushes my mother had planted years ago. To my surprise the bushes were filled with beautiful lilac lavender blooms. They stirred memories of when she transplanted those bushes, took care of them and every year looked forward to seeing and enjoying their fragrant blooms. Another example of flower memories was when I filled my large pots with pansies remembering my Granny Boyles having planted them in pots on her porch. This Mother’s Day, I was surprised to receive two flower bouquets that brought tears to my eyes to be thoughtfully remembered.Friends commented on social media, proudly showing photos of the beautiful flowers they had received this Mother’s Day.

I’m sure there are many girls who admired their flower corsages presented to them by their dates on prom night, adding to their memories of such a fun time in their lives. This spring brides chose their favorite flowers to be included in their bridal bouquets. The memory of their bouquets will be cherished through the years.

Every Memorial Day my mother-in-law would see to it that bright red geraniums were planted in small pots and placed on or near the memorial grave stones of her loved ones. Now we make sure a bright red geranium is placed on or near her memorial stone.

Three sisters fondly remember their mother’s love for iris flowers as she had many varieties of this flower planted in her yard and enjoyed them every spring. Another woman who lived years ago was well known for her many beautiful colored holly hocks that covered her yard. When the daughter-in-law moved into the same house, she inherited and continued to enjoy the special holly hocks.

When a flower bed was planted at a church yard, a church member brought some peony starts that came from the peony bushes at his mother’s grave site. I’m sure he will think of her each time he sees those peonies bloom.

When in high school, the mother-daughter banquet was held. Every year my mother would take her daughters to the grand occasion and each of us, as well as all the other mothers and daughters, had a pretty flower corsages to wear and remember.

When a couple moved off their farm into town to live, the wife made sure that some of the rose bushes that had been enjoyed for years were brought along to plant in their new yard.

Another woman told me how much it meant to her on every birthday she receives a rose bouquet from her father-in-law.

So whether it a rose, a lilac, a petunia, a mum, a lily or a humble sunflower, flowers can create great memories.