When the Mimosa Blooms

~ rabbitpatchdiary.com

18308774_1551366114888351_1429573978_n

Thursday

Dear “rabbitpatch diary,  Today is not just any other day. . .it is Brants’ birthday .  Brant is my first born, the child  that made me  a mother.  

The mimosa blooms today as it did, years ago, when I was just twenty two years old.  I remember sitting under a mimosa, the day before Brant was born.  The feathery blossoms have the sweetest scent and I was so content, sitting there.  Brant was born on a fair, Sunday afternoon.  . . .and that day, a part of me was born too.  It was as if I had “awaken”.  I had an understanding-and all of a sudden, it seemed.   One of my first thoughts, was to show him the dear mimosa- and I did, before I stepped foot in the house, upon bringing him home.  My grandmother loved the mimosas and so does Jenny.  Lyla napped under a mimosa, as an infant on more than one occasion. 

Oh what sweet days  are those of young motherhood.  Of course, I knew right off that I had the most beautiful baby in the world.  He was a “divine gift ” and nothing less.   I am as sure of this now, as I was then.  As a child,  I noticed that he had an uncanny knack with animals from wild birds to dogs.  He still does. He also  has a tremendous sense of compassion.  He buys shoes from a company that sends a pair to Africa, when he purchases.  His generous heart is always showing up.

Once,  not too long ago, we were all at the beach.  Brant had brought a football to toss with his brothers.  Three little boys watched and so Brant invited them to join in.  The little ones were so happy to be included.  We left hours later . .  without the football.  Brant had given it to the children.  

No matter where Brant lives, the senior citizens seem to know.  It is not at all unlikely for one of them to knock on his door.  He carries their groceries in and moves potted plants, on a regular basis.    

Such things do wonders for a mothers’ heart. . .  Happy Birthday, Brant.

Brant came early enough for a hearty breakfast. He  lives much closer to the rabbit patch now and that is delightful, for me.  (We set another place at the table now, as often as we can.)   His very significant “Sydney” was with him.  Sydney had her own birthday recently and so we celebrated the both of their birthdays.  After breakfast, Brant gave Sydney a tour of the rabbit patch.  Sydney had gotten a modern version of the Polaroid  camera and so we had great fun with that.

I had returned from Elizabeth City, the evening before. It had rained most every day  that I was there and so Lyla and I did not sit on our rock, even once.  Jenny and I got two closets cleaned out , while Lyla played “dress up”.  She was especially good at being “Queen Lyla” and we had to curtsy multiple times , because of that .  It mattered little to Lyla, that we carried heavy bundles, at times and were likely to topple over.  When the chores were done, Jenny and I had gathered quite a collection to donate and also had an assortment of items for the grand event in early September, when the second baby is expected.  The entire nursery was put in order as well.  Circumstances were now favorable for baking.  Lyla and I made a lemon dump cake.  I do not think, I have ever made a dump cake  before, but Jenny had been wanting some type of lemon dessert . . .and so “Queen Lyla” gave up her throne to cook.   Lyla is becoming quite a little baker, and says things like “let it rest three minutes, Honeybee.” in between steps.  We have made a fair share of cakes and cookies .  Lyla was thrilled that she could do so much of the recipe on her own.  When we put it in the oven, I told Lyla, she would soon  learn to cook potatoes . . .to which Lyla said, “no thanks!”  and skipped merrily back to the orderly nursery.

  I  started mowing today, when Brant left for his next celebration.  I got tangled up in a grapevine, ran out of gas and managed to lose an important bolt on the deck, of the mower.  That  missing bolt stopped any possibility of further progress.   A least most of the territory got mowed.  . .and at least, it is summer break when schedules are not so rigid. 

I came in the back door of the farmhouse, with moments to spare,  that I had not planned on.  Brant had been reading one of the diaries, I had kept while he was growing up, during his visit.  He had intended to carry it with him today, but there it sat on a table in the den.  I started reading it, but became so sentimental, I had to stop.

Friday

For the first time, in a long while, I was late for the early service.  The clouds were so thick, that it was almost a secret, that the sun was up.  Time seems very still without the sunshine.  I am quite good at telling time by the sun, but on cloudy days, it can be any time all day long. 

 Now, today is not like any other day, either-for today, is my cousin, Faiths’ birthday.  Faith was born when the mimosa blooms, too.  Faith and I spent our childhoods together.  We got in all sorts of mischief. (anything was likely to happen when Faith was around.) Faith got bit by a snake, hit by  a car and sassed adults on occasion . . and still lived to grow up.  She never passed up an opportunity to fight, even with boys.  Not even a catholic school could tame Faith.  Faith got “C s ” on her report cards and was as happy as a lark about it. . .but  she played the piano beautifully, as her mother, my great aunt Agnes did and I figured that “covered a multitude of sins”.   . .I sure hoped so.  In church, when a young and very menacing boy, was being “baptized by water”- Faith yelled out “Drown him!” at that holy moment.  I sure was glad she could play the piano, on that Sunday.

It is good to report that Faith is alive and well, by some miracle.  She is a loving grandmother now and remains my dear friend as well as  a special cousin.

Happy Birthday, Faith.

35349117_995906823899231_4590513504695353344_n  32207806_1936126579745634_375218942957846528_n  35265251_10214629053474260_8866217653329461248_o

35329967_10216726409182047_7267393017714049024_o

 

  

 

 

35 thoughts on “When the Mimosa Blooms”

  1. I confess to googling a mimosa bloom! 🙂 How beautiful and I love how you memories of your first born’s birth are tied to this flower. I have the game/craft/music closet to clean out and I’m semi-dreading it. However, this motivated me. I will turn on some music and tackle it! Thank you, Michele!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. cleaning out a game and craft closet would intimidate me too! haha! it will feel wonderful when it is done though! Best wishes on that! Mimosa trees are common here and grow everywhere! I must plant one at the next rabbitpatch! thank you dear Amy-love Michele

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. Love the mimosa blooms too! Miss Lyla makes a beautiful Queen 😊 I enjoyed your stories of being a young mother. My son was born when I was twenty and living in a foreign country, Spain. I’ve written about that time in my memoir which I need to finish editing. Have a wonderful weekend on the Rabbit Patch❤️

    Like

    Reply

  5. Oh my gosh, thank you for that laugh!!! I love Faith!!!!! Anyone with the nerve to yell out “drown him” at a baptism has to be something! Happy birthday to your sweet son, honestly he sounds so much like my first born, an absolute sweetheart. Lyla is adorable as always, and I’m with her, who wants cook potatoes when there are cakes to me made?! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Ahh…mimosa trees. They do smell wonderful but they really do make a mess. Happy birthday to your #1… and again…that is one cute Queen ,for a day., that will turn into another day, then a month and keep going on for years and years. Of course there is competition on the way.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. So beautiful, I can imagine myself there under your mimosa. My daughter also loves to bake but never anything so practical as potatoes. I guess one day she will have to turn her attention to sustenance but for now it’s all decorative, sugary creations for her.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  10. what a lovely post. You have every right to be so proud of your son. What an amazing human being. But It is no surprise a mother like you produced a gem like him. Happy birthday to Brant. Love the stories about Lyla. Children don’t need the latest technology. They need an environment to explore their imaginations, they just need simple love. And they will thrive.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      3. I am walking, snail pace but walking. And getting better everyday. Pain meds make me drowsy. So i am not writing but reading when im up

        Like

  11. ma’am,
    I am impressed by the man who Brant, your first born turned out to be. No surprise – his mother is a keeper so he has to be one. The mimosa blooms – memories, they are delicious.
    Jenny and Lyla and royalty and bowing down- maybe the royal wedding brought on this game.
    Catholic school ? Taming people ? Is that what is believed ?
    Faith stories -amazing. -Drown him echoing through church- people like Faith are needed in the world. They make the world so exciting.
    Glad Brant and Sydney could visit and have happy times with you.
    Does Jenny have craving for lemon ?
    Susie

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. thank you for your kind words about Faith and Brant . . .and me! We found a box of dress up clothes, and I think fairy tales came to mind with Lyla. Jenny has been wanting lemon, and never did before. The only private school here years ago was the catholic school and children were given more attention there-that ishow Faith ended up there. Faith remains a character, beloved and dear to me. thank you for taking the time to visit and comment in the midst of all that you have going on-how thoughtful. I always love hearing from you. love Michele

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. What an endearing and touching post, Michele. Happy Birthday, Brant! To have a son such as this one is truly a God given Gift, that I do agree with you. You sound so happy which in turn makes my Heart smile. Thank you for giving me a small piece of your lovely world. Bless you! 💞🌹💞

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. It seems your life is filled with loved ones and celebratory occasions for them. I so enjoyed the story of Brant’s birth and your awakening; and, as always, I enjoyed studying the photographs and becoming more familiar with those important to you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. We do a lot of celebrating-If we all happen to be together on a Tuesday, then we will celebrate! ha! One day I will have a nicer camera and I will have more pictures. thank you for leaving me kind words, as always. They still mean so much to me. love Michele

      Like

      Reply

  19. I am so glad I am finally catching up on reading posts! This visit to the Rabbit Patch was the best thing ever on a gray rainy day! You filled my day with sunshine when reading about your mimosa and your family….I also love those photos!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a reply to rabbitpatchdiary.com Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.