In my last post, I forgot to tell the very best part of the story. The small, gray statues that grace my garden space are almost all Mothers’ Day gifts from my son.
Every year, we go to the Zilker Garden Fest here in Austin in late April. It’s a wonderful event – my favorite part of living in Austin, frankly, with garden vendors and growers and plant lovers of all types bringing their most interesting specimens. You can buy a hat and a birdhouse and get lunch and listen to live music and your kids can get their faces painted or do crafts. I love it. And when my son, Dustin was younger, we always went with my parents (after a soccer tournament) and he and my father would conspire to buy and “hide” a garden gift for me each year. Being a mom, not much gets by me, but I always pretended to look away and not notice an extra item bagged in our garden cart. It was such a special tradition (makes me tear up to write about it).
My son is now grown — going to college and working — he lives here in Austin, close by. Those little friends you saw in my last post from my garden, the puppy, the small bunny, the squirrel, are all from him. I also have several other things garden-related that he has given me over the years that are near and dear to my heart.
Now you know the “rest of the story!”
I’ve been the beneficiary also of Father’s Day gifts for the garden. Each year my daughter (mom, really) get me something for the garden. Thank god for Father’s Day, my birthday’s in december and garden items aren’t top of mind!
This made me tear up too. These memories are what makes such pieces in our garden so special and unique. I imagine that you continue to enjoy this event, remembering your son and your father buying a special gift for you.
I was reminded of my father taking my son when he was eight
to the garden centre and letting him pick out something for me. He bought me a hanging heavy -metal tealight holder shaped a bit like a mushroom. I always hang it in the garden.
How sweet that they always got you something at the garden festival. Of course you still treasure those little gifts.
Jim- Thank goodness for Father’s Day! I know what you mean, my birthday is next month and my husband and 5 year old daughter asked me what I want and I said, oh – you 2 go to my favorite local nursery and pick something – I saw so many pretty things there this weekend and he looked like a deer in the headlights at the prospect of “choosing” something on his own!
Kate – you should show us a picture of your mushroom tea light!
Pam — and we still go, though now Dustin passes on the excursion (he’s 24 after all) but we take his sister Kallie, who’s 5. Maybe my Dad will take up the tradition with her some day!