Thursday 19 May 2005
9:29 a.m.
 
Mom and Dad’s home has not been without fresh flowers for virtually more than a day since a year ago, when we were told the dire news that pretty much floored us.

Her friends and family have kept her well provided with floral fragrance and beauty. One such delivery that she remarked on many times -- that it was so pretty and perfect -- was a slim vase with several red carnations in it. It was smaller than the others she’d received, she said, but it caught the eye and could fit on her dresser and not be in the way, not have to be moved all the time. So when I went to fill an order for flowers from Aunt Gladys, I decided on two small bouquets -- one for Mom’s bedroom so she can see them when she is laying down, and the other where she can see them from her chair in the living room.

The lily has an aroma that is almost stunning, and is showy as well. One stem cost $10, and I lucked out because it has several buds that have yet to open. While Mom was away at the hospital for a bone scan and a dose of radiation to her shoulder, Everett (missing school for a doctor’s appointment) and I let ourselves into the condo, put the flowers into two small vases, and placed them where they could surprise and delight her when she came home. This one was set next to her bed:

I'm afraid my photo doesn't do this flower justice at all. It is very large, and absolutely gorgeous.

The other vase, with three dazzling daisies that she loves, would await her near the living room chair where she spends many hours.

Unfortunately, she was feeling so crappy by the time she got back to her bed that surprise and delight didn’t really figure into her reaction. She is a little down, which is natural when you are so sick for a long time. I was there again last night, and asked her, “So you’re feeling pretty lousy?” She nodded yes, and added “If it were all for a reason ...” She is suffering for nothing so there isn’t much point in it, I guess she is thinking. The end result is going to be the same.

It does look as if she may be on the edge of a slippery slope, but my fingers are still crossed that she will improve and be able to enjoy her life again. She did perk up enough to have a small dish of vanilla ice cream with walnut sauce before we put her into her bed; so all is not lost!

email: