Heart of a Flower

It could be "Bellybutton of a Flower" or
the "Guts of a Flower" or whatever.
If someone put a camera lens that close to my person, I'd be a little concerned. But actually it's not that great of a capture because the camera I'm using currently doesn't seem to do macro like former cameras I have owned. I'm okay with that.

I received a Mother's Day email card today from a friend and my first thought was that "it was way too early." It sparked lots of emotion for me. I wanted to send a "thank you" to my friend who I used to be lots closer with, but circumstances, times, and just life have caused us to not see much of each other the past few years. I'll enclosed my words to her here below my sign-off, just because I want to keep these thoughts.

Good night from Southern California,
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol


Here's the letter to my friend:

Thank YOU for the beautiful Mother's Day card. I'm going to let your card be the entrance to this upcoming holiday. I mean, hey, if we can celebrate a month of birthday or a month of Christmas, we ought to be able to stretch the celebration of Mother's Day for at least a couple weeks.

I have no idea yet what we will be doing on Sunday, May 12th. For years I've focused on this holiday being about "mom," my mom, everyone's mom, anyone's mom, and not about me. We have all got a mom, so I don't know anyone who shouldn't be able to pause for a moment to reflect on the significance of this day (even if someone does not like his or her mom, that person did give life).

Regarding my own kids, I did have a long and very special phone conversation with our son a few days ago. He had just passed three classes and graduated from a program he's been enrolled in. He was higher than a kite and thought that most people he knows wouldn't even be able to relate to what he was experiencing, so he called me. I told him about times when I'd driven away from the university at the end of a semester with tears of victory streaming down my face because the horrendous work had been conquered and I was tasting accomplishment, and it was especially sweet because as a kid I had been told too many times that academics were not truly my forte. Sometimes I guess our kids need to hear about those moments.

And our daughter sends me a text occasionally. She did yesterday and referenced the "Velveteen Rabbit" so I did what all mom's who've majored in English would do, I quoted a small portion of the story for her in a return text. She actually liked what I sent. I think she is in a "faraway" place. I think we all, once in our lives, move off center; I know she'll be back. She needs lots of prayer, space, and time. I know there have been times I've been off center, nowhere near the bulls-eye, maybe evening hanging on the edge of the target; possibly God had me "pinned" there without me even knowing so I wouldn't fall into nothingness. I do know that when those seasons ended, I've found myself back closer to the center with a touch more compassion than I had had previously. Almost like I've walked through a "compassion mist"; it would cling to me and I was able, then, to let it catch the breeze and touch another. My prayer is that will transpire in her life.

Well, gosh, I didn't mean to get so wordy, but honestly when someone sends me a two word thank you, I realize they just don't have time for more, but I'm sort of disappointed and so didn't want to do that to you. I miss you. Our circles continue to spin in places that never seem to connect. That is just a fact of life and I always hope with any of my friends that this happens to that our circles will again someday touch or even overlap some. I mentioned this thought recently to my friend Peg (momentarily our circles aren't touching) and she kind of freaked-out. I didn't mean for it then, nor now, to be alarming, but just a reality of life.

So thank you for the e-card. I'm already thinking about ways to begin mom's day celebrating. Years ago I would have put together a tea party, doubt that I'll do that, except in my imagination. Now fun thoughts are swirling in my head about celebrating.

One more thought, then I'll end this -- Carly Simon sings an amazing song, "Like a River," about her mom, now deceased, that is a spine-tingling, haunting tune that I really like; here's the link. Sorry, I think it comes with a quick commercial.

So Happy Mother's Day!