Our mother was incredibly gifted at growing plants. She always told us about her dream of heaven—beautiful gardens, no weeds.
We held Mom’s memorial service at my house and asked everyone who came to place a rock in the spot where her ashes were interred. Someone placed a lovely heart-shaped rock in the center. With the best of intentions, we surrounded the stone memorial with Mom’s favorite hybrid roses.
Later we discovered that the roses were also a favorite of deer that roam the property. Buds were promptly eaten just as color started to emerge. The summer following Mom’s death, we were surprised to find a volunteer blackberry cane steadily growing directly behind the stones. It gains height and vigor each year and the deer graze around it.
Every time we pass by the rocks and blackberry cane, we’re reminded of our mother’s resourcefulness, immense practicality, and love of all things beautiful and sweet.
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