A Joyful Harvest...

      My mom's birthday is in March. She is soon to be 81! Yesterday I drove down to the Finger Lakes and spent the afternoon with her, just for fun, visited and went out to an early dinner. I know we will getting together for her birthday - but it is always fun to have extra time together.
      Last year we had a "special" birthday celebration at the Belhurst Castle in Geneva,NY.  It was so nice to have everyone come together in her honor.  The Belhurst Castle has a wonderful Sunday Brunch, which we all enjoyed. Some of the decorations included family picture collages that my son put together, a money tree, flower arrangement, favors and homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes/individually boxed for everyone to take home.
      In honor of my mom and this special day I read the following...
                    A Joyful Harvest
 Our family home was like a greenhouse... our mother was the gardener.
                     Her children are her plants.
        Like a good gardener, mom prepared the home soil with
        encouragement, compassion, and good home cooking so
           that each of her plants would grow strong and true.
          She nourished her plants' bodies, souls and spirits,
     always considering the needs of each individual tender seedling,
              knowing that one plant may need extra love,
             another extra patience, and another laughter.
    She guarded her plants jealouly, praying always for their protection
      from dangerous friendships, poor choices, and other weeds that
                  threatened to choke life from them.
 As time passed-despite her faithfulness, she could not control their growth.
    some flourished with little effort, while others needed more attention.
  As she labored to care for her plants-she often became weary and worn.
In her greenhouse she sweated and cried over them, praying that her hard work
      would water them with wisdom, good health and much happiness.
    As the years have passed-the mother gardener developed much wisdom.
However, her vines have been pruned and her seedlings have been transplanted...
                       now growing on their own.
                Today...as the mother gardener rests...
           and enjoys the sunshine in her quiet greenhouse...
       she reflects on one lost seedling...remembering her beauty -
   then... looks around to all her plants, sees how strong they have grown,
       with their own greenhouses and nourishing their own seedlings...

feeling proud... she celebrates her Joyful Harvest!

Modified by CKlas