A year ago I created a small memorial garden featuring a cutting from Elliott's clematis. This clematis was dubbed Elliott's because it's always in explosive full bloom glory on his birthday (June 10) and over the years I shot at least 12 or 13 of his birthday portraits sitting in front of it. You can see the clematis behind him on the left in his 15th birthday portrait below. My boy. Isn't he handsome?! He's also impatient to be done with the dang photo session so he can scarf down the pumpkin muffins the candles are stuck into. I always bake them specially for the honeys' birthdays.
Elliott passed in 2007 and I don't live in that house anymore, so last spring Bryon (my ex-husband) took a cutting from the clematis, rooted it and gave it to me. It didn't blossom at all last summer and I wasn't sure it'd survive our insanely long winter with record-smashing snowfall. I was overjoyed when I saw fresh greenery shooting from its base a few weeks ago!
I think about (and miss) Elliott every day, this morning even moreso because it's the first day of his birthday month. (June is also Lucy's birthday month -- hers is the 11th.) Today I was outside mowing and doing other yard work when I noticed... a FLOWER ON THE CLEMATIS! The very first flower on Elliott's clematis bloomed in Spokane on the first day of his birthday month!
Hurray Elliott! Hurray Mother Nature! And a great big thanks to God for today's gift in letting me know that my boy is still with me. :) :) :)
P.S. Just realized it's no coincidence I fixed Copper River salmon for dinner tonight. One of Elliott's many nicknames was Fuzzy Bear due to his resemblance to a grizzly bear, and many jokes abounded as to his looking like an open-mouthed grizzly fishing for salmon on the Copper River.
I definitely believe coincidences are one way God tickles us and maybe even shows off a little bit.
How beautiful, Carla. Simply beautiful. Elliott will always be with you. In your heart. In your dreams, often. Says the voice of experience---my dog Winston. Love, O
Posted by: Olivia | Monday, June 01, 2009 at 07:41 PM
What a beautiful gift...thank you for sharing this story!!!
Posted by: Tanya | Monday, June 01, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Oh Carla! You are so good at making me smile--I LOVE that about you! I have a quote about coincidences: Coincidences are God's way of remaining anonymous. Also, you must see the movie UP. As Mike said, "The dogs steal the show!"
Posted by: LindaB | Tuesday, June 02, 2009 at 02:01 AM
so beautiful :-) i feel the same way about the double flowering plum tree we planted for our boys, it is in full bloom even though its not supposed to bloom the first year and i feel grateful for this gift.
love to you, xooxox
Posted by: darlene | Tuesday, June 02, 2009 at 09:14 AM
Carla -
I miss and celebrate Elliott, too. My cats are not pets (at 36 years of age, I got my first "pets" and discovered that they are children, loved ones, connectors to so much love. I dread the days they will leave me).
I Love to you and am loving you today and always. C.
Posted by: Christine | Wednesday, June 03, 2009 at 01:16 AM
that you were paying attention and noticed is also awesome! So many things can distract the mind these days. Your helpers in spirit, including Elliot are always hoping you'll notice their messages and winks.
Posted by: Kathryn Knoll | Friday, June 05, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I am just visiting .. the random clicking away moments, and I love how you noted God tickling and showing off a bit ,
I am going to read through some of your posts, but I think the Sacred Sunday idea is truly beautiful, and a good discipline on the journey of living mindfully and gratefully.
I will follow the prompts to link up. I usually don't post on Sunday's
but since I haven't been getting to church... this works for me.
Thank you
Posted by: deb | Monday, June 22, 2009 at 11:16 AM