Anyway, this is my Ma Jones' beloved Christmas Cactus and I am not sure how, but after she died, I ended up with it. She loved plants probably just about better than anyone else I have ever known and loved gardening (both vegetable and flower.) The day before her death she spent a cold November day digging in her yard to plant spring bulbs. That is how I hope to die...living until the end!
So Ma Jones' "Christmas" cactus is a crazy plant, in that since she died, it has not bloomed during December one single time! It has bloomed during February, on her birthday...every year. Really. That is probably her way of poking back at me from the great beyond!!! I noticed it was almost ready to bloom last week and here we are on her birthday and it is beautiful! So funny, huh?
Beautiful blooms to celebrate a beautiful life.
And some how, I know that when her son-in-law (my sweet Uncle Kenneth), joined her in Heaven on her birthday in 2009....she had a shovel and rake waiting for him to help her tend the flowers there!
Michelle, what a beautiful tribute to your grandmother.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you brought a smile to my face this morning. My mamaw, who died 18 years ago, always had a Christmas cactus in her kitchen. To this day, I can't see one without thinking of her. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the smile. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story. My grandmother lived to be 100 and was in perfect health until right before she died. She was a wonderful woman and it sounds like yours was too. We were lucky girls. Mine has been gone 13 years but like you, not a day goes by that I don't think of her. We were extremely close, as I was her only grandchild and she moved in with us when I was a year old and my father died. Sweet memories for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a beautiful plant and no doubt she's with you each day!
I hope somehow your grandmother feels the love that you still have for her. It is really neat that your plant blooms in February instead of when it is supposed to bloom.
ReplyDeleteThanx for stopping by and sharing! What a lovely sentiment for your gma! My husbands just passed a few weeks ago and we miss her terribly though we only saw her once a year.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing story...it's like the plant knows when it should bloom and when it shouldn't :)
ReplyDeleteI was very close to my maternal grandmother, and think of her often too. What a lovely post this is Michelle.
Such a nice tribute and how awesome is it that it blooms now in February?!!
ReplyDeleteThis just made my day. My Grandma, who passed away a year and a half ago, always had a Christmas Cactus. Wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful cactus! I think it's really cool (and special) to have something like that from your grandma. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet. I had a terrific grandmother (MaMaw). She was the kindest & most gentle woman I have ever known. She left us much too soon over thirty years ago. I'm so thankful that both of our children go to spend time with her. Thank you for sharing this sentimental journey.
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Aww. That is so sweet. My husband's grandmother, who I consider my own, also has her beloved christmas cactus-that is amazingly gorgeous. she gave me part of the plant last year, and i am so thankful to have it. what a lovely thing you were left with, full of life, and beauty. I can see how it makes you think of your grandmother, and the wonderful memories you had with her.
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