Hi Mom,
It is Sharon again. I just want to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day. Michelle was in Napa today, the weather was beautiful and she was sitting outside when she sent us all a beautiful picture of your rose garden. Anna and I were there a few weeks ago and we picked lilacs and roses to take home. We also put a pretty bouquet on the kitchen table for dad to enjoy. When I looked at the picture Michelle sent, I got such a longing to be at home in Napa this weekend and to be close to you. Your garden brought such joy to you and it is amazing how much joy it brings to all of us. I didn’t realize how much I love your garden, the relaxing chaise lounges, chairs under the trees and your little touches of handmade pillows and chaise covers, scarecrow, stepping stones, handmade signs and everything that put your imprint on our home. Dad does an amazing job of keeping it up and just planted all the vegetables for summer. Your tulip trees were beautiful this spring and your roses and hydrangea’s will be enjoyed by all. In fact, can you believe that Paul will be 40 in May! Jenn is throwing a birthday party for him in Napa and your garden will be shown in it’s full glory. This mother’s day will again be hard, but you live on in our hearts and in your garden.
I love you,
Sharon
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- Eileen’s Tulips – From Dan & Jill
Sharon – Your letter is beautiful and really says it all. As I putzed around the garden this weekend I came across so many of mom’s doodads and they made me smile…a lot of horseshoes, railroad ties, the jugs (which make me laugh), the signs, and almost every potted plant has a treasure in it. My thumbs are not as green as hers so I’m sure more than once she was up there saying, “Michelle! Don’t pull that, it’s not a weed!” I did learn a few things that stick with me…Trim the roses diagonally above the stem of 5 leaves, cover newly planted seeds with a green strawberry basket with a rock on it so the birds don’t eat it before it sprouts, and most importantly…anything can become garden decor! I miss her so much…the garden is definitely one of those places where I reconnect with her. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.
Sharon,
What a touching letter. I got to spend Tuesday and Wednesday night at the house last week as I was in the Bay Area all week for several meetings. I so loved “hanging” out in the garden in the evenings and mornings….as Michelle said, the “treasures” spread throughout the garden and patio plants are so…..well…so Mom. What made me smile was that I am sure every little trinket has a story of how, and why, she just had to have it and it would fit perfectly in the garden. Someday I aspire to having the same sort of garden…for now, my potted plant veggie and herb garden will have to do.
Happy Mother’s Day mom….we all miss you dearly, but your spirit is still as stong as ever!!
Love,
Dave
Sharon, you couldn’t have captured your Mom’s essence any more perfectly. Anyone reading your Mother’s Day card to her has to smile and agree….the garden she and your Dad share is a wonderful place to be and to enjoy her presence. Like Dave said, there are stories that go with each and no doubt each of the Napa Ripples know some of these and all together you probably would have the full story! I am very glad Mitch knows how to trim the roses. This alone, would make your mom happy.
On a smaller scale, she also added to many of the flower beds here at the ranch…..rusty shovels, old wheelbarrow, broken hoes and pitch forks. I loved going to an area after she worked it and see it transformed with the added ranch relics. What I love even better are the feelings I have and the smiles that are generated looking at the flower beds…. words are often exchanged which only she and I can hear! I am so glad she left her footprint for everyone to see but sometimes I think it is just for me! I sure miss your Mom too!
Love to All,
Reen
Reen,
I can’t wait to see the “treasures” at the Ranch….I actually forgot about these. From California to Colorado to Texas….she left her footprint.
As I read through the blog tonight (in an AZ. hotel room after having dinner with Steve and Cyndi and the kids), I can’t help but think of the incredible family bond Mom and Dad fostered….it streteches so far….and we are so blessed.
Dave
Sharon – what a beautiful letter to your Mom. You have such grace. I truly admire you.
Michelle – you nurture your Mom’s garden, just as your Dad does. I know she is proud of the work you are doing (and really doesn’t mind if you pull the “wrong” stuff once in awhile)
Dave – Such a jet setter and still a wonderful family man, what a blessing that you can pop in on family so often.
Reen – I know you must have a very special place out there…all the Ripples love being at the Ranch…maybe us “adopted” family members should mosey on over (with John Denver songs on the radio) sometime too. I’ve loved seeing the family pictures from past gatherings.
And Bert, Steve, Linda, Paul & Christie – you all are so special too. You all are teachers of Grace in the face of sorrow. I’m doing my best to carry on following your beautiful example.
Love to all.
Colleen
As I look out at our backyard(past my bbq grill that David left a mess with bbq sauce) my next “job” is our garden in the back corner. I have already planted two Sycamore trees to provide shade and am now planning the planters for the garden. It is obvious that we have all been influenced by mom and each in our own way have recreated little areas to remind us of her and home. I also have my 4 rose bushes in our front courtyard. My only dilemma is the little idiosyncratic “treasures” that mom put in her garden. I am not so good with Wee folk and such. Therefore, I may have to put SF Giant and 49er memorabilia throughout the garden area. I also may invite Dad to come to Phoenix for a few outdoor “projects” as mom was quite good at getting him to do the heavy labor.
Well we have been enjoying two oak barrels full of beautiful tulips for about 3 weeks now. One barrel is in front of the house and you can see it more than half way down the street when you are driving upto the house. It is full of tall long stem tulips. About 3 years ago while visiting us, Eileen gave us a bag of blubs. You know she got a deal on them from who knows where. She just love the color of them and knew that we could find a spot for them. The reason she got a deal on them was that it was the wrong time of year to plant them. Your Mom said just put them in the freezer and plant them in the fall. She also added that even if half did not make it, they were still worth it. It had to be a killer deal. Well I wish she could of seen them bloom. I think every darn one made it. Now that they have been coming up for a couple of years now we call them Eileen’s Tulips. For us when they start to bloom we know that Spring is coming. We both sure miss your Mom. This would be the time of year that Rip and Eileen would be stopping by on their way home from the ranch and the Texas visit. We would get all the latest on the family.
Sharon good job on the Mother’s Day note. I think she would be surprised to know that Michelle knows the difference between the actual plants and the weeds.
love,
dan and jill
I can’t tell you how much I love reading everyone’s comments! It’s like getting a big, giant hug…and often a big, giant laugh too. I love hearing the different imprints that Mom left on each of us. The stories are so “mom”! Rusty pitchforks as garden art, freezing tulips she got for a steal (never heard of freezing bulbs before!)…
Steve – I hear if you pick out a tree stump in Tahoe that Dad will deliver it for free! They make great garden art!
I was so touched by Sharon’s letter and all the loving responses. Eileen never told me about freezing bulbs but she did tell me to keep the bulbs in a flowerpot and plant the pot in the garden, when they are done blooming take the pot and put it in the garage til the next yr. Of course it works!
So much love comes through the comments on this blog that my heart is touched deeply when I read it. You indeed are a very special family.
Michelle, I think your Mom probably had a soft spot for the weeds she had to pull.
Missy
I was on a two week plus visit to Houston to visit the O’Hares and hadn’t read the blog for a month or so, but Linda mentioned the updates when I was there so checked in on it this morning. What can I say. I had tears rolling down my cheeks as I read all of your comments on “Mom” and the garden. There is nothing to add except I better close this and get out in the yard and get to work before I get yelled at.
Oh my gosh, reading all the comments had me laughing and crying! I remember a few years ago when Mom and Dad stopped by on their way home from LA/Arizona/Texas/Colorado. All the seats were down in the Suburban and the back of the car was filled to the brim. There were rocks from Texas, tree stump from Tahoe/Donner, I think a few granite rocks from somewhere in Colorado/Wyoming and various other “treasures” . It was soooo Mom! I remember laughing as I looked in the back of the car and Dad just rolling his eyes<:) Dad was the best at allowing Mom to collect all of her treasures! I do find that I also like to fill my pots with "treasures" , but I am not yet as creative as Mom.
Dear Sharon and everyone, Reading about Eileen’s garden brought both tears and laughter……I can so remember all our shopping and all the treasures that found their way out into the garden. Eileen had such a creative eye for things others would overlook. I’m happy to know that the flowers will be blooming and the vegetables plentiful. Eileen always knew NOT to pick the green beans when I was due up…..then we’d go out & I’d eat as many as I would pick…..one of life’s greatest pleasures! (So, Rip…..hope you planted green beans !) I just know Eileen is watching over that garden and knows how much joy she created…………and each of us took a little bit of that love home with us. What a magnificent tribute ! With love,