Mary is a dear friend to many, especially the members of the Elmhurst Garden Club. She has served the club in so many ways with her knowledge, determination, good grace and sparkling wit. Mary was instrumental in helping to rally members in an effort to save the Great Western Prairie, among other endeavors and held many club positions. She remains inspiration to me; an ever-blooming flower in the garden of my life.
These days, Mary can’t get out and about like she would like to. Health issues necessitated her moving from her home to assisted living and have limited her participation in the many activities she enjoyed. It could not have been easy for her to face so many life changes, yet she has done so with her sense of humor intact, participating in activities she can, and she is embarking on new adventures.
On Monday, our garden club held an auction in lieu of a program. Members donated fine items they no longer use; hand painted children’s furniture, crystal candle holders, tea sets, even original artwork. We are gardeners; progressive when it comes to the environment, horticulture, sustainability, scholarship, saving the monarchs. We are equally conservative when it comes to what and how we spend money. All this to say that none of the winning bids were exorbitant. We could all afford to eat dinner last night, some left with presents to tuck away for the holidays, and we had fun in the process as the garden club’s coffers increased a bit.
One of the auction items was a painting. A simple clay pot of purple flowers as bright as an April day. I could almost feel the dirt under my fingernails and the sunshine on my face. The painting is now mine; it’s soft, muted colors of periwinkle and sage politely waiting to be framed. The artist was our Mary, who recently took up painting!
What an inspiration Mary is. This endearing potted plant is just what I needed, not only to focus on what is really important, but to be uplifted by Mary’s example of fortitude and her endeavors to continue to learn something new. Her creativity and never-ending ability to give to others, along with her budding talent, are a gift to us all, and now, dear reader, my gift to you.
Dear Penny, what a lovely, and touching, tribute to Mary who has touched your life so gently. Her painting speaks to me as it did to you and as it will to all gardeners and those who appreciate the essence of flowers. I have a friend who will soon be 86. I’ve known him for forty-five years. His wife died five years ago and I’ve come to admire and appreciate him even more because of the fortitude he has shown. Just as you learn from Mary, so I learn from Bob. Peace.
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We are so fortunate, aren’t we Dee, to have such examples in our lives? Thank you for sharing this about Bob and, as always, peace to you as well.
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Mary is an inspiration to all of us who view life as a continued means of growth. I love the painting.
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Isn’t it lovely? Now, to find a frame.
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What a beautiful, gentle painting, and a loving tribute to Mary. How wonderful to be inspired by someone like her, who deals with life’s challenges with such positivity and flexibility.
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It is wonderful, indeed, Juliet. Thank you.
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Oh, aren’t you fortunate to know such a talented woman as your friend Mary. And I adore the painting. A watercolor, yes? Such a delight.
And what a wonderful idea your club’s auction was. I shall have to remember that. It must have been such fun. And dinner too!
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I am fortunate, indeed, Belle. You have a good eye.
It was fun and I hope you have the opportunity to have such an auction in one of your endeavor’s.
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What a lovely lady: and a lifelong learner, something I admire beyond all things. It is a really beautiful picture.
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I know, Kate. I’ve used the term “lifelong learner” often, and keep hoping that we are bringing up generations of children who be just that. Thank you.
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I read this post and looked at Mary’s lovely painting and put it aside for comment later. I had limited time and felt like I couldn’t do it justice. After waiting all day, I still can’t do it justice. Just let me say that I am inspired by this great lady.
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Dear Janet, I am, like Pollyanna, glad to know that Mary’s painting inspired you. Justice is done.
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Such a lovely post, Penny. This is how I hope to get old – able to lay aside what I can no longer do and instead turn to new pursuits and discover latent talents. Not that I have a spark of artistic talent, but I wish I could have painted that pot of flowers.
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Thank you. I could not have said it better than you just did, Perpetua. Isn’t it a wonderful pot of flowers?
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A sweet testament to friendship, and another lesson about aging with grace and good humor. Thanks.
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With so many of my garden club friends, I keep saying I hope I can be like them when I grow up, Karen. Thank you so much. Hope all is well with you.
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The painting is lovely! And Mary is an inspiration…. I want to be just like her (now and in a few years when I’m a little bit older)… willing to accept change and always willing to learn something new). Thank you for sharing the story.
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You are welcome, Sallie, and so do I.
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That is really a lovely painting. The muted colors are beautiful. It is sad to have to ‘give up’ some things, but how wonderful that she has ‘taken up’ a new interest. That’s really a secret to a good life.
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I thought so as well, Nan. I’m hoping that I remember this “secret to a good life”.
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What a wonderful tribute to a lovely lady. I have printed your write-up and the comments and sent them to Mary, my Thanksgiving gift to her. It takes a lovely person to write about another lovely person. Thank you!
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It also takes a lovely person to show another encouragement, Marilyn, and you’ve done it twofold with Mary and with me. Thank you, dear friend. What a thoughtful thing to do for Mary. She will appreciate your thinking of her, especially at Thanksgiving. We are a most fortunate circle of friends, aren’t we?
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Mary sounds like a remarkable women who enjoys her life no matter the challenges and I’m sure you will think of that every time you look at her lovely painting.
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She is a dear woman, Janet, and I’m very fortunate to have her painting.
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