MOTHER / DAUGHTER (writing assignment)

 by Danna Shirley

In my Creative Writing Class we would sometimes give an assignment using random words: 

vase, plaque, hands, fan, basket, frame, pillow, dictionary

     I answered a knock on the door to a young delivery man with a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers in a crystal vase. The card read, "To the one I admire." Now who in the world could admire this 73-year-old grandmother with arthritic hands? Did he mean romance? Oh, No! Not me! 

     I sat down and fluffed the pillow behind my back. The card was probably written by someone who worked at the florist so there was no use examining the handwriting. Oh, well. It was still a nice gesture. 

     I began my usual house cleaning, dusting the piano and moving picture frames on the mantle. Pictures of me with the love of my life. Pictures of the children and grandchildren. I'd been a widow for 18 years and was very comfortable and content with my life as is. I had no desire for a secret admirer to disrupt my life.

     The bouquet of flowers reminded me of my own garden. I grabbed my basket of gardening tools and entered the sunshine. My daffodils, iris, and pansies were in full bloom, unfortunately, along with the accompanying weeds. After a few hours of pulling and mulching I was ready for a break. I gathered up a glass of iced tea and cookies and sat down on the garden bench under the shade of my sycamore tree. Fifteen minutes later, rested and refreshed, I returned to the kitchen to arrange my own spring flowers to match the other vase already on the mantle. I flipped on the overhead fan to let the aroma of the flowers waft throughout the house. Such a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere. 

     Just as I sat down to enjoy my surroundings, the front door opened and my family trooped in with food and gifts. "What's this all about," I asked?

     "This is an early birthday," my daughter replied. "I see you got the flowers."

     "Those were from you? You're my secret admirer?"

     "Mom, you'll never know in all my years of watching you as I grew up, how much you influenced me with the life you lived in front of me. Yes, of course I admire you."

     She handed me a plaque that read, 

"The dictionary describes a mother as one who 

loves, tends, nurses, and raises her children. 

I describe you, mother, as that and much more . . .

Conscientious, Creative, and Resilient

Compassionate, Patient, and Persistent

Loyal, Courageous, and Honorable

Honest, Humble, and especially 

A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH GOD . . .

Who raised me to be the same!

I Love You, Mother

AMEN!