Taking Time to Smell The Lily

 

My Easter preparations always include the purchase of one Easter Lily.  I look for one containing the most buds with just one or two being open.  That way I can enjoy checking each day to see if another has opened.  But, I think the main reason I buy them is the smell.  To me they are the scent of Easter.  One whiff and I am taken back to all of the Easters of my childhood.   It's like a travel back in time to mom's kitchen... there she stands in her apron checking the ham in the oven.  Soon company will be joining us.  We've been to church and are outfitted in our Sunday best (most definitely patent leather shoes and white gloves for Easter).  An Easter Lily and some simple decorations are placed about. 

Hard to believe that all of that can come from one whiff of a lily, isn't it?  But, for me, it's true.  So, as I go about my present day Easter planning, a daily sniff of the Easter Lily keeps the family members who are no longer with us close in thought and warm happy memories.

 At times the preparations for a holiday meal can seem a bit overwhelming.  Things don't always go as planned.  Circumstances change from year to year.  The changes aren't always desirable, but that seems to be the way life goes.

 Somehow, for me, the scent of that Easter Lily brings comfort. 

I think it reminds me that despite the ebbs and flows, Easter is a time for celebration.

 The carrot cake is long gone.

My mom's recipe that never fails to get rave reviews.

  The Easter Lily served me well this year.

Despite a beautiful holiday celebrated with my family, an emotional roller coaster presented itself.  Calling my sister to wish her a Happy Easter was tough, but not calling wasn't an option.  Almost five years after her stroke, not much has changed and now she is experiencing nearly unbearable pain.  I sensed such weariness in her voice.  Although she still deals with aphasia, she is able to get out some words.  Pain and Shoulder came out mixed with a few tears.  When my brother-in-law explained to me more about the situation, he sounded upbeat yet I sensed the weariness.  Knowing that they are grieving the loss of their son on top of all of this I once again wonder how much can they take?

Hanging up the phone I felt such sadness for them and, to be honest, guilt for the many good things I had to look forward to on this day.  

Just before my guests arrived, I had a good cry, said a prayer for my sister and brother-in-law & thought about things I could do for them. Then it was time to pull myself together.  It may sound funny, but a sniff of the Easter Lily helped to remind me that life is constantly changing yet some things remain the same and at that emotional moment I found that to be so comforting.  

 

 After Easter the lilies find their way into my garden.

Wishing my dear blog friends a beautiful week.

Thank you for your visits here.