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Sunday, June 5, 2011

let me tell you a story

We have a family tradition of birthday flowers – each of the women in the family has a special flower which we are given by our Dad on our birthday.  My Gramp started it with my Mum – her birthday is in April so her flower is daffodils which are usually in abundance at that time of year.

birthday-flower-daffs

My sister’s birthday is in July and here flower is sweatpea which my Dad also grows in abundance.  This photo was taken about 30 years ago

birthday-flower-sweatpea

My birthday is in May and my flower is Lilly of the Valley. 

birthday-flower-lv-1

There were plenty growing in the garden of the house where my parents lived when I was born.  But since then we have not been able to grow them in abundance.  So imagine my delight and surprise when I noticed that there was a big patch of lily of the valley coming up in the garden of my new house – planted by the previous owner.

  birthday-flower-lv-2

I take it as a sign that I chose the right house to buy.

Sian has been encouraging us to tell a story on the first Sunday of each month – pop over there to check out her story and the links to other stories.

And a last reminder on one of Sian's other great schemes - Pass the Book - if you want to be in the pool for Romancing the Ordinary leave a comment on my post from last Monday - I will draw on Monday 6th (UK time)

18 comments:

scrappyjacky said...

What a lovely family tradition.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic flower story and how lucky to have them in your garden Helena! Sorry blogger is still playing up and not allowing me to comment properly not sure why!!Off to sign up for pass the book if I haven't already! Furrypig xxx

Elizabeth said...

Great story! My favorite flower is the daisy.

Jimjams said...

That is a wonderful tradition - TFS

JO SOWERBY said...

mine would have to be a lily although it wouldnt be grown in the garden cos im a december bday,
jo xxx

Miriam said...

What a beautiful story, I love it! Daffodils are my favourite but I love the snowdrops that appear around my birthday in February.

Becky said...

A lovely story and a great tradition - I love Lily of the valley but have never been able to grow it, although it grew really well in the garden of the house I grew up in.

Wanda said...

What a nice tradition. I imagine any time any of you sees your own or someone else's special flower that you are immediately reminded of them and the wonderful memories you all share.

Sian said...

My birthday is in July and my favourite flower is the Sweetpea!

Thank you for your lovely story today Helena - it's such a nice one I bet your Dad's tradition will be carried on in a few more households from now on.

Ginger said...

How perfect! I love the smell of Lily of the Valley, my neighbour has them and every now and then when the wind blows I have the opportunity to smell them :) That is a great tradition started by your grandad!

Anonymous said...

What a neat tradition! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Melissa said...

What a wonderful tradition! Thanks for sharing.

Alison said...

What a lovely tradition...and how great that you have discovered some of 'your' flowers growing !
Alison xx

humel said...

Oh, how sweet is that? Love this idea! :) And love that you now have a patch of 'your' flowers growing, that's perfect xx

Susanne said...

Fun to hear how flowers pop up in your life here and there. Thanks for sharing.

Maria Ontiveros said...

What a lovely tradition! I love the special things my dad used to do for me.
Rinda

Anonymous said...

Fab tradition and a beautiful story. I love coincidences like that, I always think its life's way of telling us we're on the right track :)

Good Company said...

What a beautiful tradition! The scent of a lilac bush transports me back to my home in a heartbeat.