Last spring, to celebrate Mother's Day, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel invited their readers to share memories about their moms relative to gardening and decor. I thought it was a good way to reflect on and appreciate the things my mom has done for me in my life so I took the bait. The responses were then published in their paper on Mother's Day.
She's there in the vintage vase you set on your dining room table. And in the lilacs you pick from the bush you planted together. Moms have a way of leaving their touch on the homes and hearts of future generations. To celebrate Mother's Day, we asked readers to share stories about how their mothers influenced their own decorating or gardening styles.
As for my mom, I wrote...
My mom is one of those people who seems to have been born with what some
would call “effortless style.” This style is apparent in everything she has her
hand in…whether it’s her attire, home décor, preparing family dinners, wrapping
gifts, gardening, etc. The result is always pleasing and inviting, never
feeling contrived or showy.
When I was about 5 or 6, I began to notice mom’s skill in creating appealing
vignettes throughout our home. She placed furniture in ways that invited you to
come into the room and sit down. The little odds and ends she found to
accessorize the room were placed on tables, shelves and walls in ways that
compelled you to examine them more closely. Keep in mind, these were not rare items
or fine antiques but rather average furnishings and objects, either purchased
at minimal cost, handed down or found at a flea market.
I particularly remember, when I was about 8 years old, watching her
arrange items on a wall shelf. The ultimate result was a very pleasing
composition, with pieces juxtaposed with one another in a manner that presented
them in their most interesting and energetic way. I sat on the couch, fixated
on her as she worked…watching her place each item on the shelf: first a ceramic
owl, then some books (first standing them up – then laying them down), then an
old-looking candle snuffer, and so on, moving the items to various places on
the shelf until she was satisfied they were each in their best location. Her
attention then focused on how each item was facing - making small adjustments
by turning them ever so slightly till they reached their ideal positions. Only
after she stepped back away from the shelf a bit to review her work – then adding
a small artificial vine as a finishing touch – did she consider the task
complete.
After decades of contemplating what skill it is that she possesses or
process she employs that allows her to achieve these desirable effects, I’ve
come to the conclusion that it boils down to the fact that everything that my
mom does is done with love.
This Mother's Day, whether you feel your mom (or female caregiver in your life) was good, great or even not-so-great, see if you can think of just one way she's positively influenced how you do something in any area of your own life. Take all the time you need...it'll come to you - and then sit back and appreciate the gift that is your mom.
Mothers are the best! Even after we grow up and have our own family and work commitments, we should still take time to call our mothers and tell them we love them.
ReplyDeleteDelores Ensley