A Tribute to the Gardner...

It's Brenda here, with another planted blog post. Today, marks the 2nd Blogiversary of Bloom with Brenda. I started this blog in memory of my mother, who loved gardening. I found it only fitting to share a tribute to someone who became my best friend in life, after the death of my father from Alzheimer's Disease in 2007. We truly became a team, when it came to medical issues. My mother was my caregiver after I underwent a  craniotomy in 2008. I became her advocate, when she entered the nursing home in 2011, where she sadly lost her battle with congestive heart failure. 

My mother was a wonderful gardener who loved making things grow before her very eyes, I could never understand why she enjoyed it so much, until writing came knocking at my door. I've said many times that writing is a healing balm for me. My mother's pride and joy was her vegetable garden and the flowers that would bloom in front of our house. 

It seemed fitting to name this blog "Bloom with Brenda" as I thought it would be a great way to honor her memory. I strive to do that every day. I made a promise to my mother while she was dying, to live my life and hers was to always live in my heart. I feel her strength at times, when I think I'm unable to keep fighting. 

We were so in tune with one another. I would say something and she would say; "I was going to say that." It was uncanny. My mother was truly my best friend. I could tell her anything and we had some great talks. 

My mother would have been beaming with pride to see both covers of the books that I ended up coauthoring. To be honest, I feel cheated that she was not allowed to witness those moments. My mother  missed out on my becoming an editor of an online publication for 3 years. 

My mother has been on my mind a lot lately. I struggled with what I would be sharing about this month, but the other night while I was lying in bed, it came to me in a flash. This blog would be 2 years today, so why not do a tribute to the person I aspire to be most like. I remember telling her while she was in the nursing home, that I wanted to be half the woman that she was. Her response was; "Someday you will be." I'm not sure I've reached that point yet. 

My mother knew that I was on a journey of writing, as she had a chance to read my earlier blog posts. Her response was; "I didn't know you could write like that, it just flows." Imagine the pride I felt hearing that? 

I decided to use this platform for planting blog posts. It's one way of being able to honor her. My mother was truly my ally when it came to living with rheumatoid arthritis and helping me navigate the life of a brain tumor survivor. The first year was rough, but I'm so grateful she was there every step of the way. 

As a result of that experience, I ended up blossoming as a writer, and taking a risk with becoming an editor of an online publication. When I was asked, I didn't even hesitate. I was ready for a new chapter in my life. When that chapter ended, I became a contributing writer for several books and went on to taking the next big step and coauthoring 2 books in the span of a year. 

I journal on a daily basis. I'm currently on my 16th one. I feel the best way to pay tribute to my late mother is to continue living my life. If you had a chance to know my mother, you would find out that she was quite intelligent. My mother only had an eight grade education, but she could carry on a conversation with so much intellect, that I was in awe of her. My mother was well read and kept her mind sharp. 

My mother was also very crafty, as I had shared in the blog post; "A Tale of Crafts and a Mother's Love" which I ended up reading in the past tense at her funeral. She asked me to do this and I'm so grateful I was able to honor her by sharing what she meant to me. 

My mother would often use the expression; "You can't legislate morality" It's so true. She also had another one she would use; "Bloom Where You Are Planted" That is the whole essence of this blog and I think a great place to end this planted post. 

I miss my mother every day and strive to keep honoring her memory by living my life. I'm going to leave you with a photo of the 2 of us, that was taken at my 50th birthday party. The necklace I am wearing was actually given to my mother when she was a little girl by her mother. What a great keepsake from my grandmother, who I never got to meet, as she passed away many years before I was born. The necklace my mother is wearing was a gift from me. Little did I know that the next year, I would have to say goodbye to my best friend in life, my mother. 

Bloom with Brenda will be taking a little hiatus until next year. 

Until then,

Keep Blooming!

❤️ Brenda