Thank you, Anna, and I'm so sorry about your dad. It's really the worst, isn't it? Such a weird feeling--I think I'm still at that point where I just kind of go around feeling fragile and dazed.
Yes that fragile and dazed feeling. I hope you are treating yourself like you would something very precious with a lot of love. That feeling does go and I found allowed me to appreciate the enormity of it all. Lots of love and happy gardening to you x
Thank you so much, that's good to hear. I'm definitely not at the stage where I can appreciate or realize the enormity of it all yet but it's good to know I'll get there, one day. :)
I’m an acquaintance of your mom back in Columbia Tennessee. This is absolutely beautiful, a loving tribute to your father and I am so sorry for y’all’s loss.
I never got to salvage any of my mother’s flowers when she passed but every time I look at a rose, or a yellow rose of Texas, or a giant white Iris, I think of her. Sending hugs to all of you.
Hi Michelle, thanks for reading this! It's so nice to be able to have specific flowers to remind of of people who passed away. I'm glad the flowers can remind you of your mom :)
Oh Rhiannon, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Cancer sucks sucks sucks beyond words. My mom passed from ovarian cancer in 2014, and all I can really offer is something I heard that was somewhat comforting to me - that your grief never gets smaller but your life gets bigger around that grief. It’s special to have a flower that will always remind you of him and your connection, I’m sure he would have been thrilled with the dahlias. Thinking of you and your family ❤️
Thanks so much, Alison, and I'm so sorry about your mom--it must have been so hard to lose a parent so young :( Thanks for the advice--it's been so good to hear from people lately who have lost a parent, and I think you're right about the grief. Maybe it will hurt a little less eventually, but I'll definitely always remember.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s strange— I don’t know you, but I started reading your blog back in 2008 and have followed your journey since, so I feel like I do? Your relationship with your dad sounds very similar to mine with my dad. I’m so glad you got to spend some time with him before he passed. Sending you all the love right now.
Rhiannon, I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your dad. He sounded like such a wonderful and energetic person. There's something really powerful about how gardens continually connect us with people, even when they're no longer physically with us. What a gift that you and your dad had this bond. I hope your garden brings you comfort this season.
Thank you, Emily. And totally agree on how great gardens are for connecting us to other people. I'm super introverted, but it's so easy to talk about gardening with people, especially ones I might not think I have a lot in common with--it's like a secret language we all can speak :)
Thanks, Mom! All those memories from last year especially are so good to have. And I'm so glad I can talk gardening with you. Your garden looks so beautiful!
This is so beautifully written. I lost my dad last year, I had to look away and come back to your words and tribute. With love and plants xx
Thank you, Anna, and I'm so sorry about your dad. It's really the worst, isn't it? Such a weird feeling--I think I'm still at that point where I just kind of go around feeling fragile and dazed.
Yes that fragile and dazed feeling. I hope you are treating yourself like you would something very precious with a lot of love. That feeling does go and I found allowed me to appreciate the enormity of it all. Lots of love and happy gardening to you x
Thank you so much, that's good to hear. I'm definitely not at the stage where I can appreciate or realize the enormity of it all yet but it's good to know I'll get there, one day. :)
This was beautiful Rhiannon! Thank you for sharing your heart.
Thank you, Diana. :)
I’m an acquaintance of your mom back in Columbia Tennessee. This is absolutely beautiful, a loving tribute to your father and I am so sorry for y’all’s loss.
I never got to salvage any of my mother’s flowers when she passed but every time I look at a rose, or a yellow rose of Texas, or a giant white Iris, I think of her. Sending hugs to all of you.
Hi Michelle, thanks for reading this! It's so nice to be able to have specific flowers to remind of of people who passed away. I'm glad the flowers can remind you of your mom :)
Your flowers were beautiful last weekend and I know your Dad was so proud of you with all your beautiful flowers and his flowers too 😊
Thank you Anthe, and thanks again for coming to the service! It was so good to see you :)
Oh Rhiannon, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Cancer sucks sucks sucks beyond words. My mom passed from ovarian cancer in 2014, and all I can really offer is something I heard that was somewhat comforting to me - that your grief never gets smaller but your life gets bigger around that grief. It’s special to have a flower that will always remind you of him and your connection, I’m sure he would have been thrilled with the dahlias. Thinking of you and your family ❤️
Thanks so much, Alison, and I'm so sorry about your mom--it must have been so hard to lose a parent so young :( Thanks for the advice--it's been so good to hear from people lately who have lost a parent, and I think you're right about the grief. Maybe it will hurt a little less eventually, but I'll definitely always remember.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s strange— I don’t know you, but I started reading your blog back in 2008 and have followed your journey since, so I feel like I do? Your relationship with your dad sounds very similar to mine with my dad. I’m so glad you got to spend some time with him before he passed. Sending you all the love right now.
Jessica
Thanks so much, Jessica, and I'm glad you're still reading after all that time. That was really a lifetime ago! :)
Rhiannon, I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your dad. He sounded like such a wonderful and energetic person. There's something really powerful about how gardens continually connect us with people, even when they're no longer physically with us. What a gift that you and your dad had this bond. I hope your garden brings you comfort this season.
Thank you, Emily. And totally agree on how great gardens are for connecting us to other people. I'm super introverted, but it's so easy to talk about gardening with people, especially ones I might not think I have a lot in common with--it's like a secret language we all can speak :)
What a beautiful piece about your dad! It’s so lovely to see the many ways people we love influence and impact us. Dahlias are beautiful flowers.
Thanks so much, Maud. It's really an amazing thing--hope my dad could see how many people he impacted :)
Rhiannon, your Dad enjoyed sharing his love of gardening with you. I'm so glad you have these memories and the dahlias to treasure forever!
Thanks, Mom! All those memories from last year especially are so good to have. And I'm so glad I can talk gardening with you. Your garden looks so beautiful!
This is so beautifully written Rhiannon, but I so sorry to read this news. There is no better solace than a garden. Sending you and your family love.