Spring is made of solid, fourteen-karat gratitude, the reward for the long wait. Every religious tradition from the northern hemisphere honors some form of April hallelujah, for this is the season of exquisite redemption, a slam-bang return to joy after a season of cold second thoughts.
~ Barbara Kingsolver
(Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life)
When Tim & I moved into our new home in July of 2023 we were delighted to have a flowering dogwood in our front yard, tucked under the towering pines. We looked forward to seeing it bloom. But when the springs of 2024 and 2025 passed by without it flowering we were disappointed. It seemed to be a healthy tree with plenty of green leaves.
After I did some research we decided to order some fertilizer for acid-loving trees. It came in spikes and, as directed, early last summer Tim was out there hammering the spikes into the ground at the proper distance away from the trunk of the tree. Then sadly, in October he suddenly died.
One lovely morning near the end of March I went out to check the mail and noticed the blossoms, mostly higher up in the tree. It was such a bittersweet moment, stopping me in my tracks. Tim never got to see the results of his efforts to bring these lovely dogwood blossoms into our lives. As time goes on I know I will think of him with deep gratitude every time they bloom.
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Thank you, Eliza.
So pretty. What a lovely reminder of Tim.
Thank you so much, Karma.
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Thank you, Teri.
What a beautiful way to honor his memory.
Thank you so much, Rosie.
What a beautiful blessing and reminder of his love for you. ❤️
It truly is. Thank you, dear Allegra. Hugs and see you soon. 💙
Aw, I can’t help but think Tim is seeing those gorgeous dogwood blossoms, too … and is grateful he got fertilizer for the tree when he did. You’ve heard of the Legend of the Dogwood, haven’t you? Here’s where you can read the poem: https://www.stresslesscountry.com/legenddogwoodtree.html
Happy Easter, my friend!
Thank you for sharing the poem, Debbie. I have to say that I had never heard of the Legend of the Dogwood before, but the idea for it makes sense considering the time of year that dogwoods blossom. I hope you and Monkey had a Happy Easter, too, my friend! 🐇
Dogwoods are so pretty and a blessing in the Springtime once they grace the still-blah landscape. Tim is looking down and smiling when he sees you sharing these photos thanks to his efforts.
Thank you for your kind words, Linda. Even when someone dearly loved dies it seems life goes on in the little things they leave behind to help us remember them. I keep finding things that remind me how well he loved me. 💙
That is a very special way to remember Tim … you have those little things which will keep him forever in your heart.
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They weren’t blossoming before as they were awaiting their purpose for this special Spring time to blossom for you, as a gift that Tim unknowingly prepared for you. He is smiling at you when you look at them, Barbara. Miracles and blessings work in mysterious ways. May you find comfort with these beautiful blossoms day after day in the coming weeks, my friend. 💞
I believe you are right, Donna. And I keep finding little gifts that Tim left for me, some well planned, and others, like the dogwood blossoms, unknowingly. The more time passes the more I am struck with what a kind, generous and helpful man he was, not just to me but to many others who keep sharing their stories about him with me. These memories bring me so much comfort. ♡
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