Once upon a little walk – okay, it was just the other day, not once upon a time. I’m just in a lyrical, fairy tale spinning sort of mood. Bear with me – and no, there are no bears in this tale, but, there is a little Goldilocks.
Whilst wandering about with a purpose to the post office, grocer, library and such, I turned off the noise of the news on the car radio and turned into one of the forest preserves near here. I needed to clear my head, work a few things out and flit about with the bees, the butterflies, the falling leaves and my thoughts.
I usually veer to the left to loop around the particular path I was on, but, this was the sort of day that dictated a change in course. I veered to the right instead. It was unseasonably hot and quite humid as the temperature loomed toward 90 degrees. Goldfinch hosted a seed gathering orgy and grasshoppers leaped about in an erratic fashion for reasons known only to them. Pollinators of all stripes, hues and shapes imbibed on the nectar of zinnias, asters, and goldenrod.
As I reached a bend in the path, the tall, late season flowers and grasses towered over me, and I heard the sound of youthful laughter. Momentarily, a young girl and her granny appeared. The child looked up at me, I smiled. In a sweet, childish voice she asked “what’s your name?”. “My name is Penny. Thank you for asking.” She bounced around in a Tigger-ish sort of way as her grandmother said “Why don’t you tell this nice lady your name?” “My name is Violet” said my new, young friend. I squealed, as I tend to do, and said “Violet was my mother’s name. There were many people who said she was Sweet Violet – and she was!“. “Oh” said my new friend “I am sweet, too” – and she was!
Young Violet skipped down the path in the direction from which I just came. Her granny followed her and smiled as grannies do when out for a walk with a grandchild.
I smiled as well, thinking of my own grandkids with the hope of an upcoming visit. My thoughts turned to my mom, missing her. I realized, just then, that I had just received an unanticipated gift on this once upon a little walk. The gift was Ma’s name, Violet, uttered from a sweet child. It brought a moment of clarity to the thoughts in my head as I returned to my car and headed home.
The End.
This does, indeed, feel like a gift from the Universe, and your mom. These things are not just happenstance, as you know … they affirm something quite wonderful is happening and we are just getting a glimpse of it. Beautiful.
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Oh, Teresa, thank you for these generous, beautiful words. Yes. A gift from the Universe. Love that.
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I loved this story, Penny. I’ll be smiling the rest of the day. 🙂
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I am so pleased to hear it, Jill. Thank you.
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Moms always know when we need a little reminder that they’re still near. Love this.
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Moms truly do know, Karen, and it was nice to be reminded by this sweet little girl. Thank you.
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I am ready to go to sleep after a long day and your story gives me the joy I need to relax. It’s beautiful!
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I hope you have rested well, Gerlinde, and I thank you.
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Oh what a beautiful and sweet story Penny. I just needed something cheery this evening. Thank you. My mother’s second name was Violet and violets were her favourite flower. So I’ve heard her name spoken by your sweet friend as well.
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Thank you, Juliet. Violet seems to be back in favor as a name for girls these days, which is so very nice. It is nice to share our mothers’ name across the pond.
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You have the best encounters, Penny! I love how you wind up talking with children. It’s great that little Violet was so instrumental for clarity in your day. 😀
What lovely photos.
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Thank you, L. Marie. I’m lucky. Children are the best conversationalists. 🙂 Violet was, well, she was sweet and came into my path at just the right moment.
Enjoy this gorgeous Sunday.
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What a lovely break in the day …. and for you another gift from a child! It’s good to take a different path sometimes … and it is always good to be open to chance encounters with a smile and a word. I am so grateful for nearby natural spaces to walk … we all need to clear our heads — these days more than ever.
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I seem to be receiving quite a few gifts from children lately. It is really quite nice. Thank you, Sallie. I enjoy your posts, photos, and travels. You take me to so many places I will likely never see but from which I can imagine. I may, yet, get to Eugene someday. 🙂
Today was one of those days I could have used a nature walk with this horrible, tragic shooting in Nevada.
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Love, love, love this little fairy tale in the midst of an ordinary day, Penny! Children are always drawn to you in the sweetest ways. It’s so lovely that Violet stopped to visit with you! She was a tiny gift from heaven! ♥
Hope you will have a wonderful visit with your grandchildren very soon. I know that they are wishing the very same thing! Thanks so much for making my heart smile this morning, Penny! ♡
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I’m so happy to hear that, Dawn. Thank you.
Young Violet certainly was a heavenly gift.
I am actually up north right now and enjoying the grands tremendously. It is a short visit but a balm for my soul. You are very welcome.
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I like to think that was your mother letting you know she is there to comfort you.
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I think you are right, Janet. She has a way of finding me just when and where I need her. Thank you.
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Oh Penny! This touches me so much. What a sweet gift to receive, and I know you cherish that encounter. A day when you needed something to soothe and salve the spirit, and in a most unexpected way you experienced a “re-set.” I hope you get to hug your own two little darlings very, very soon!
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It was just the encounter I needed then, Debra, and I am so very grateful for having had it. Thank goodness for those re-sets to see us through.
Thank you, Debra. Up North right now and treasuring every moment with the grands.
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What a sweet story! How did I miss this? I’m so late in seeing things. I’m sure I would love your little Violet with her grown up name and her no fear of strangers, at least when her grandmother was nearby.
I had a little girl come up to me one time who had beautiful red hair in two long braids. Of course I thought instantly of Anne with an e. She said to me, “Did you know that there is a new red headed girl in town and I am her.” She smiled and walked away before I could reply. I got to know her later and her name was not Anne, but her personality was.
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