Friday, March 20, 2009

My Dad and The Arrival of Spring

Today has been such a beautiful day. The sun is shining and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. What a way to welcome spring. Today has been a day to enjoy for its beauty and also for me, today has been one to take a look back.

Brit Boy had to go and see a client today and I went along for the ride. We decided last night to make a day out of it. So after he finished his work, we took a drive over to the Cotswolds. We went to that garden centre that I’ve mentioned here before in a very early post. It felt like one of those full circle days since we haven’t gone there for roughly a year since I began my blog. It was nice to go back. I always like going there because the place reminds me of a huge barn and they have gorgeous flowers of every description. They also have beautiful garden furniture, gazebos, and a wide variety of ornamental garden stuff. And then they have all kinds of neat gifty stuff and they have a nice open café there that serves hot and cold food. It’s just a neat place. Anyway, we went by there to get a gift for Brit Boy’s mom. And while we were there we took a look around and had something to eat. I love it when Brit Boy and I have time like this together.

After we ate, we took a good look around. Then I was stopped in my tracks. They have a section with old-fashioned candies and there on a stand was a colorful array of huge lollipops. I used to LOVE these when I was a little girl and I haven’t seen any of them in a long time. The thing is, it was great to see something from my childhood, but what really touched my spirit was that my dad used to buy those for me when I was little. Here’s where I got goose bumps. Today marks the day thirty years ago when my dad passed away. So when I saw these lollipops, I took it as a sign from my dad…like he was saying, “I’m never too far away”. I smiled when I saw them and it brightened my day and lifted my spirits. What a beautiful moment. I would love to talk to him as an adult since I was a child when he passed away, but over the years I’ve found a certain amount of peace and I keep good thoughts of him and my mom in my mind. I loved the lollipop so much that I had to buy one (smile). Here it is.




As we were driving out of the parking lot, I snapped this photo of a wicker type man they have out front. He is very earthy looking…don’t you think? I love him.




And also I took a picture of a lovely spot on the way back home. All of the daffodils and trees are blooming out.




When we got home, we went out into our backyard and I took some photos of our pretty little flowers that are coming alive. We planted these bulbs back in the dead of winter and now they are showing off all of their colorful beauty and they are the essence of life.




So as I mentioned at the beginning of this post, today was a day of the beautiful, the bittersweet, the joyous, and things came full circle. Even though this is the anniversary of the day when my father passed, all that I could feel was the joy in the fact that he had lived and he was my dad and he loved me and I loved him. I’m reminded that there is joy in life around us every day and through me and my siblings…my parents live on :-)

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Does the wicker man have a gun or a garden tool in his hands? Either way, I like him too.

Dori said...

Romancing Italy,
He has a gardening tool :-) He's so cute.

Anonymous said...

That lollipop brings back great memories! I love how you think of your father and the good memories.

Unknown said...

A beautiful day, made more memorable from the everlasting spirit of someone lost but still loved.


peace,
mike
livelife365

Census said...

Hi Dori..it sound like a great day out. It's funny how it's the little things that bring our memories of people back and keeps them fresh.
Have a great weekend!!
June

A Valdese Blogger said...

The lollipops & the memories they triggered was really nice. Thanks for sharing.

Alicia aka "Fashiona" said...

Pretty pictures.

My Inspired Reality said...

I almost felt that I was a fly on your windshield on that trip:) Sounds like a wonderful day, enjoyed reading about it. And great memories with that lollipop:)

LYN said...

WHERE IN THE COTSWOLDS DID YOU GO?? I GREW UP IN OXFORDSHIRE..I SURE MISS THE COUNTRYSIDE..LIVE IN SUNNY FLORIDA NOW...;-)

Alison said...

What a gorgeous day, loving the pics too.

Jewelry Rockstar said...

Beautiful post.

Courtney said...

I love lollipops like that too. I always used to get them at Chuck E Cheese.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dori,
It's so nice that little things make such nice memories comeback.
Very nice post.

Today I'm now still within my first 24hrs on twitter and yoú were the first person to welcome me on Twitter. Thank you so much.

That is something I will never forget.
I also have a quote here, I don't know from whom it is but here it is:
"People forget what you said,
people forget what you did, but
people will never froget how you make them feel".
Something to remember. I think it works so in every area of life.

I have something for you,I'll tell you about it in an email.

Enjoy the rest of the Sunday, my friend.
Deana Martina
Deana

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you are having a heck of a time.

What about the Lake District? Have you been there yet?

I never got a chance, despite bumming around UK, Sweden, Finland, France, Norway and even Calgary in Canada for four years!

I hear it's beautiful, as is the Isle of Sky. Perhaps we will get some photos from you?

Great blog!

Dori said...

Heidi,
Yes, it was a sweet moment in more ways than one :-) I find that the little things like that mean so much to me now.

Mike,
Beautifully said Mike :-) Thank you.

June,
It's true...the little things leave an imprint on our memories as we go through life. I hope you had a great weekend too :-)

Valdese Blogger,
I'm glad you enjoyed my reminiscing. Have a great week :-)

Alicia,
I'm so glad you liked them. The colors in everything just popped that day :-)

Kala Pohl Studio,
I'm glad I could bring you all along :-) Thanks for coming here to share along with me.

Lyn,
Hey, check out my latest post...this one's for you Lyn ;-)

Alison,
It was so beautiful and I'm glad you liked my photos. The sun was just making everything glorious :)

Jewelry Rockstar,
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

Courtney,
The lollipop was so good. I'll have to go back and get another one :)

Deana,
Yep, the little things are what hold our memories together I think. So glad you liked my post :) You are so sweet. It was my pleasure, my friend, to welcome you to twitter. Now I can keep up with all of the Deana news :) I love that quote...it's so true. I look forward to your email. Have a wonderful day. You've made my day :)

Denford,
Yes, I am really enjoying taking it all in. I haven't made it to the Lake District or the Isle of Sky yet, but I hope to sometime soon. Whenever I do, I'll certainly be sharing photos here :) You've really done lots of great traveling. By the way, your blog is great!

Anonymous said...

Awwww...what a sweet day. That lollipop reminds me of my childhood, too! I used to love getting the big rainbow colored ones when we went to Coney Island or Rye Playland!

I might go buy one right now!!! ;)

Nice pics! :)

Anonymous said...

Hello Dori,
I'm sorry your father is no longer here in the flesh but he sure left you some sweet memories. :-)

After I read your post the other day, I immediately went and called my dad because I've been so caught up with work that I realized I hadn't spoken to him in a couple of weeks. He'll be 70 this year. I can't believe time has blasted by so quickly.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your life with us. I always enjoy visiting your blog. :-)

The Silver Age Sara said...

Dori,
What an absolutely beautiful way to spend the day. The photos were amazing and I can't believe how all your flowers and trees are blooming.
I loved the story about the lollipops and your Dad.

Ivanhoe said...

I cannot wait for spring to fully bloom here :o) We decided to drop building the deck this year, as we will not be staying here for more then another couple of years. The house is small and we would never get the money back when selling just because of a new deck. The good news is that there is $$ in a budget for a nice backyard spruce up. Lots of new plants & flowers & mulch is coming :o)

Unknown said...

This really looks like an enchanting place. I love the photos.

Dori said...

Fitness Diva,
Yeah, it was great. I hope you got your lollipop too :)

Jacqueline,
You made my day with your comment. I'm so glad that my remembering my dad made you think of yours and call him. That's so good. I know this one thing for sure...we must cherish our parents while they are here. I'm so happy for you :)

Mountain Woman,
I'm glad you enjoyed a bit of my day with me :) Yeah, things are blooming out and then the frost has come back, so it's back and forth. LOL. I love sharing stories about my parents here. It helps me to keep them alive in a way. I'm so glad you enjoyed my story :)

Ivanhoe,
I hope you have lots of fun with your backyard spruce up. Enjoy, enjoy! :)

Renee,
I'm so glad you enjoyed my little tour. Thanks for stopping by my friend :)