Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Irises.....

    Today it has been 8 years since my mother passed away. I still miss her.  She did not have an easy life. She gave birth to eleven children. Yes, she ruled the household. She made us show respect to elders and teachers. We were not allowed to run the streets.
    Some times mom  was funny. She would say , when asked if we could have friends over, "you don't need friends, you have your siblings. "  The older kids helped by watching the younger ones. That was not always easy.
    Mom didn't have much education, thank God she had some street sense.  She worked for the K-mart stores. She worked hard at other jobs too. But the K-mart was where she retired from.
   Mom loved all of us and our children. She loved traveling, shopping goodwill stores, and going to festivals. She loved every kind of flowering tree and plant. But her favorites were lilacs and irises.
I think the reason was because that was what was blooming in the yard when she moved into the little house on the corner. That was the first flowers I can remember her having. This picture is one I painted for mom one Christmas.
   I miss my mother so much. If you can hug your mom today, hug her for me.  XO

26 comments:

  1. I sure understand that, Susie. I miss my mom too, and she also loved irises. Every spring we would walk through each other's yards together and notice all the little bits of plants coming up. I miss that. That's a lovely painting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tahnk you. I love that you and your mom shared the love of gardening. xoxo, susie

      Delete
  2. she sounds like a good strong woman, you did such a beautiful job of the Iris, its a wonderful memory, I love Iris as well,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laurie, My mom was a strong woman, she had to be i guess. Thank you for appreciating my painting. xoxox, Susie

      Delete
  3. That is such a gorgeous picture. I understand how you feel about missing your mother. Time makes it easier but oh How we still miss them. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the nice words. I think we never get over the loss of our parents fully. The pain will ease, the longing never does. xoxo,Susie

      Delete
  4. My mother has been gone for 31 years, and there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't come to mind!

    The Iris is the Tennessee state flower. I really like them - and lilac as well! xo Nellie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nellie, I think the sharp pain of loss does ease, in time. But that sense of longing goes on. My mother was from Celina , Tenn. That is nice to know the iris is your State flower. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

      Delete
  5. Your painting and your story is so precious. We have much in common. When my mother was dying of cancer, I painted her favorite flower, Iris too. It hangs in my home.
    Thank God for hardworking parents, especially moms.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wanda, That is kind of amazing, isn't it. I have mom's painting with me too. Yes , yes, thank God for our hard working parents. They taught us work ethics. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

      Delete
  6. My Mom and Da both passed in 2004. I thank them for the wonderful childhood I had.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Boston Boy, Sorry you lost both your parents the same year. It's hard enough when they pass at different times. I love the picture you have shown of your parents. I know they were hard working people . Blessings, xoxo,Susie

      Delete
  7. Your Mother sounds like a wonderful woman, Susie. I miss my Mom. too, When my Mom passed away I amde the decision to move closer to my children and grandchildren, as I realized family is the most important thing in life. I don't regret the move at all. I amy be missing the exciting NYC life, but I am finding exciting new things here in Colorado and the best part is being close to family! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat, You are right, family is just about every thing . Love of God is first...he has helped my family plenty. I knew you moved to be near your kids when you went to Colorado. Blessings to all of you. xoxo,Susie

      Delete
  8. Not an easy life at all, Susie. Sounds like she did the best she could and there was love for all of you. It must have been hard on the older kids in the family, too.

    That is a great picture you painted for her. Blessings- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diana, So glad you are back :):) Yes, it was hard on the older ones...I was the oldest daughter so I had a lot of responsibility. But mom did od the best you could at times and struggled at other times. She was the boss of the house. xoxo,Susie

      Delete
  9. she sounds like a wonderfully strong woman, the kind we need more of these days. My mom has been gone 18 years and it still feels like yesterday. blessings to you and may her memory bring a smile to your heart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Joanne. My mom was strong, funny and kind when she needed to be. Yes, we need more strong parenting women .xoxo, Susie

      Delete
  10. A beautiful tribute to your Mom...Huge family...Are they close by??

    ReplyDelete
  11. She must have been a wonderful lady and I know you miss her. I still miss my Dad and lost him in the early Fall. You never stop missing them. Sweet hugs my friend, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  12. oh such good memories Susie (:) love this.... you have your siblings
    miss my mom too she was a person who loved all things too.
    hugs,Patty

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, Susie- she sounds like a wonderful mother! I am sure she is close by when you need her. A mom like that always is. Mom will be gone 20 years next month. You never stop missing them, but the missing times are more gentle as time goes on.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  15. that's a lovely painting ,I can't hug My mum today but I'll hug Speedy instead,xx Rachel

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a beautiful post. Your mom sounds like an amazing lady.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a beautiful tribute to your mother. Lilacs are my favorite flowers. Love when their season comes around in the spring.

    ReplyDelete