Flowers Picked by a Child

Sometimes silk flowers have to do...Sadee's smile
is more beautiful than the most beautiful flower.

I have several friends and family members that have GREEN thumbs...monster ones.  They can grow anything beautifully.  I can grow children beautifully.  I believe it is a gift from God above for either to flourish at the hand of mere mortals.  The thought of all those beautiful roses, daises, zinnias and other hearty spring flowers and the fact that I have had and have some of my grandchildren with me this weekend and still yet, sparked a thought.  I don't believe a flower, any type, should stay in a bed.  No flower was ever so beautiful as when picked by a child and handed to his/her mother.  Sadee picked a flower at my house and gave it to her mother when she was here Sunday.  Sure it's going to die, but it's going to die in the bed also.  The memory and the smile brought to mind of both mother and child will live for a LONG time.  My friend, Joanna, hosted a flower potting the Saturday before Mother's Day for children in her "church" community for years.  Poor children, rich children and all those in between would come and pot a flower for their mother as a present for Mother's Day.  She also would provide a snack for each.  Another friend of mine, Carroll, grows beds and beds and beds of day lilies.  He has been seen all over Grayson, Columbia, Monroe, and West Monroe delivering his day lilies to nursing homes, the sick at home,  and hospital patients.  We love to drive by his house when they are in full bloom, but I tell you for sure they seem to be in FULLER bloom in the vase as he walks in those hospital rooms.  He and his beautiful wife have even shared flowers for my classroom during summer school.  Some of those children feel so gloomy, the bright yellow flowers brighten every face.  For those of you that love a flower garden, here's an idea.  Host a garden party  where you invite local children to cut a small bouquet of flowers for their mothers.  You could serve a cup of lemonade and sugar cookies.  Yes it is true, those flower gardens brighten your spot of the world but think of the light you could bring to your whole community and even beyond.  Pass it on!