Am I starting a new meme? No...just feeling a little sentimental after spending the weekend in Spokane for my nephew Trent's high school graduation. I had every intention of doing a "In a Vase" post today but life got busy and all I managed to throw in a vase were some Alchemilla mollis, aka lady's mantle stems, and a broken Daylily stem along with a couple pieces of Cerinthe major purpurascens — which look great by the way, but hardy seemed post worthy.
I have 4 nephews and 2 nieces, and I love them all. They're all amazing, unique individuals. However it's the first, Trent, that has an extra special place in my heart. I don't know if it's because he was the first, because I was there to see him just seconds after he was born and then on again for the first 5 years of his life? Or maybe becasue, like me, he's the oldest, and an only child for many years before his next sibling came along.
Anyway I'm not just here to ramble on, I want to share a specific memory. He was probably 4 years old at the time, maybe 5. My brother and sister-in-law needed to do some shopping, and called to see if they could drop him off at my house for a bit. Of course, I mean I was in the middle of stuff but why not. How much work could a kid be? OMG. I remember I was mowing my lawn and thought he could just play by himself. Nope. Not the case. Finally he became somewhat exasperated with my need to get stuff done and said (in a rather indignant kid voice) "Auntie Loree stop, it's okay, you can just PLAY with me..."... loud and clear. Yes it was. And yes I could.
Fast forward to August of 2011 when he came to visit us in Portland. He was 12 but for all intents and purposes a teenager. Electronic devices figured large in his mind. My iPad was his while he was here. It wasn't until after he left that I found these pictures he took using it, while we were on the patio one afternoon. Goofy eyes!
We had a lot of fun during his visit, he and I spent a lot of time together and I treasure the memories.
Still it would appear he was still trying to tell me it's okay to stop trying to get things done and just play...
Weather Diary, June 11: Hi 71, Low 52/ Precip .03"
All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
"Yes We Can In Spokane"! Or so I hear. Time goes by so fast: one minute the kid is born, then next he is graduating from high school. Cute kid. You forgot to post a graduation picture with his aunty :-)
ReplyDeleteOh city mottos...so funny. I wouldn't so much say "forgot"....
DeleteI always think of my first niece as my surrogate daughter. We spent time together when she was in college and she went into journalism as well. So a special bond. The flowers look lovely. There is nothing nicer than those wonderful lime green Alchemilla blossoms. Your colors for sure in this group.
ReplyDeleteThe rain had the flowers laying on the ground. What's a gardener to do but stick them in a vase?
DeleteCan you stop trying to get things done? I can't. Nice to visit with your nephew, though.
ReplyDeleteIt's darn near impossible...
DeleteThose are wonderful memories to treasure, Loree. I regret that all my nieces and nephews (5 in all) grew up at a distance and are seen only at infrequent intervals.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Even the simplest of your arrangements are most definitely IaVoM-worthy.
Distance is so frustrating. Spokane is so close, drive-able, but yet so far...
DeleteYour vases are nice but not as sweet as the memories you've shared. It's fun to just stop and play from time to time.
ReplyDeleteIt is, definitely.
DeleteSo your nephew is the photographer behind this well-know image of you hard at work. It's okay... to plonk a few stems in a vase and call it good, because it is. Glad you got to go to Trent's graduation. Doesn't time whiz by?
ReplyDeleteYep, he's probably due a few dollars in royalties isn't he?
DeleteCute. Those kids. They like for us to be in the moment. One the really great things about them. Of course these days, I have to try and get my kids to put down their devices and goof off with me!
ReplyDeleteFunny how that switch happens.
DeleteWhat a sweetheart. I am a great-aunt to lots of little kiddies back east who barely know me since moving here. One of my few regrets. What a bummer that little old ladies can't adopt grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteOh I bet you could (adopt a grandchild)...some neighborhood kid who needs to spend some time in the garden?
DeleteThey grow up so fast don't they? Sometimes I find myself wishing I could turn back time when my nieces and nephews were still kids and we could play again like we used to. They are adults now of course but the fondness remains, and I will always see them as kids, in the nicest possible way.
ReplyDeleteSo fast! The other two in this family (a nephew and niece) were so much older this visit than when I saw them at Thanksgiving...
DeleteCongratulations to Trent! He sounds like a fine young man. Fun story of your memories.
ReplyDeleteMy nephew in Alaska has two more years of high school. I remember when he was about four following me all around the garden asking the name of every single plant and watching me deadhead a climbing rose with complete attention. Then the next year's visit, when he got off the airplane, he said right away, "So, Aunt, how is your Limonium perezii doing?" I hope he turns out to be a gardener someday.
Our attention is what most kids want more than anything else. Sweet memories.
ReplyDelete