we locked the doors for the last time to my mother’s house a couple of weekends ago…
Mr Magpie and I had one last picnic under the apple tree…
it happened to be the Joint Services Open House weekend at the nearby Air Force base…
the Thunderbirds zoomed overhead several times as if to bid a final rip roaring farewell…
my parents raised two daughters over the span of 50+ years in that little house…
as we tidied the gardens one last time…
we were surprised to see one clump of forget-me-nots in the rose garden amongst the dozen or so blooming bushes…
that heavenly blue looking a little out of place and absolutely perfect all at the same time…
I feel the closest to my Mutti out in nature…
with every bird that sings…
and flower that blooms…
so much to thank my parents for…
and very glad I made time to do that often while they were still on this earth…
I will leave you today with this perfect quote that my good friend Lennie shared recently:
“Whether we are poets or parents or teachers or artists or gardeners, we must start where we are and use what we have. In the process of creation and relationship, what seems mundane and trivial may show itself to be holy, precious, and part of a pattern.” ~Luci Shaw
Happy T…with thanks to Kimmie and all of the tea party participants and to you my dear visitor…
*footnote:I am submitting this post for Ana’s Friday Archive Dive topic of “home”*
Magpie's Nest ~*~ Patty Szymkowicz 
What a sweet tribute. Hope the future residents enjoy the work and heart she put into her gardens. Love the little pincushion and the weathervane – Is that weathervane going to reside on your roof now?
I am here for tea again, after a brief respite – drop by, if you can!!!
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Just beautiful. Amazing parents you had to have raised and brought you up as you are! Wonderful saying from your friend Lennie as well. The sun is shining bright today- so it will be another salute to your Mom’s home. Thanks for the beautiful tea party!
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Lovely tribute to your Mom Patty.. such a beautiful garden.. and lovely quote from your friend Lennie..
Kath
xx
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Very touching tribute, today. Really liked that you and Mr. M. share one final picnic under that apple tree. I know how painful, yet fulfilling those memories must be. Happy tea today from your imitator (grin).
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Patti, this is a beautiful post and I’m glad your husband was with you to take in and enjoy albeit sad this last visit there. The quote is so very true. I’m reminded of that often. We really don’t know what is working for God’s will, but we stay the course. Funny thing is, when you really live the mundane and not worry about making it any more than that you realize how much burden is lifted.
Happy Tuesday!
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what a lovely, touching, thoughtful post!
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Dear Patty ~
I love your post today, I am thankful for your mother who brought such beauty to the world and for you who lovingly shares and continues the gift.
So grateful for both of you today! With a thankful heart, ~me XX
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Dear Patty,
Saying “goodbye” to our childhood home is difficult at best. But we have the beautiful memories, which are never “for sale,” to call upon and re-live for the rest of our lives. I think every time we do that we are thanking our parents and siblings. Your beautiful pictures are a sweet tribute to a wonderful life. Thank you for sharing.
xox
Karen
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Dear Patty, what a lovely post. You are beautiful living tribute to your parents. Wonderful memories and such pretty images to remind you of all that is good. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy
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Patty…dear sweet girl…..you made my tear up with your tribute today. The photos of Mutti’s home share her love for nature, too. Actually the yard reminds me of the home my parents had with a large backyard and beautiful flowers. Apparently you and I were surrounded by it as we grew up and still love it now as adults.
Forget-me-not. Fitting.
Much love my friend,
Jan
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A beautiful and touching honouring of your Mutti and her part in your lives Patty. How lovely that she had a fly past all of her own and, very fitting I am sure. It is clear that you are not a person who would ever forget. pen x
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What a beautiful way to honor your Mutti. Thanks for sharing a little part of it with us.
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Such a lovely tribute and how lovely to see the forget-me-nots AND have the spectacular fly pass. I’m sure you felt so close to your parents while you were there just as I’m equally sure they were looking down at you and being happy you were there.
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It is a very sweet tribute to your mom, your parents and their home. I do love the fly-over! How fitting! And the little nest…. like the one you sent me… I need to put that on my blog soon. Love the flowers. Happy Tea Tuesday! Oh….that pin cushion is soooooooooooo sweet!
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beautiful, bittersweet tribute, dear one! you had my tears flowing immediately… and the lady bug photo… sigh…. magnificent… oxxo
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As always, Patty, you have such a gift for making us feel we are walking right beside you as you tell your story. Such a good balance in sharing the sweet and sad…just like real life. Personally, I’ve always viewed coincidences as something that have a purpose/meaning rather than just a random chance of luck event. The little forget-me-not in your Mutti’s garden…the planes flying overhead…all very rich in meaning.
Beautiful pics you’ve shared today as well that all illustrate so eloquently the depth of this post. Xo, Sue
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Patty,
Your words are so loving and honest and touching. i love the quote your friend shared with you, too. It says so much. I, too, think that the forget-met-not was perhaps a message or a reminder and that the planes flying overhead honored you and your relationship with Mutti.
I have been thinking of you a lot…but deeply wrapped up in our trip, Jud’s chemo and my own thoughts.
Sending you so much love,
Sux
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Such a sweet post today Patty …. Forget-me-nots are one of my favorite flowers …. They pop up in most unexpected places, volunteering their cheerful presence in new spots each spring. Some people consider them to be a weed …. Which quite baffles me. I am sure forget-me-nots will dot the landscape of your life for many years to come … Especially since you welcome and cherish them.
Hugs, Kimmie
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I love that small blue flower telling you not to forget… I know you won’t. Love you sissie!
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your post is so lovely, a wonderful tribute to your Mutti.
xo Dymphie
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What a beautiful and touching post, Patty. I hope you dug up a few of the forget-me-nots for your own garden. They are so lovely and so beautifully named.
Thank you for sharing your life, your mutti and all you care about with us.
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Beautiful post Patty, the yard looks so serene 🙂 the flowers are gorgeous! Did you dig up the for-get-me-knots and put them in your garden?
The Thunderbirds made a great tribute!
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What a beautiful and touching post – a very lovely tribute to your parents. I think you were brought up in a really lovely and beautiful environment!
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Oh you really touched that soft and vulnerable spot in my heart today Patty with your beautiful post, such meaningful words and wonderful photos of a very special “place”. To feel that intense love and gratitude for our parents is the one gift they would be so proud of leaving us with. A beautiful ‘ forget-me-not ‘Tuesday dear friend. XX
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That must have been so difficult. Such a lovely and thoughtful post. The garden photos are beautiful.
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thanks for sharing the beautiful quote as always…. a moving tribute to your dear mutti….warm hugs..
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Dearest Patty….what abeautiful tribute to your parents…thanks so much for sharing the special times and things that your parents did for you……love……JUDY
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beautiful post, Patty, looks like it was a special day~
I always appreciate it when you share pics of flowers. I can’t believe these grow naturally. In a garden. I’m so used to only see them in bouquets *sigh*
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your tuesday tea always fills my cup 😉 no really.. but especially today’s. such beautiful sentiments and photos. that bench encircling the tree is so lovely, i’ve never seen one like it. i can just see you and mr. there…
beautiful post.
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Beautiful post sweet Patty, very touching. I know it must be so hard to leave that house, but you still have all the special memories in your heart. God bless!
I adore your tea cup, think I have one quite similar to that, enjoy your tea:)
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Wonderful, wonderful tribute to your parents, dear Patty. Loved every word and picture here, and even the Thunderbirds bid a fond farewell!
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What a wonderful, memorable day. Indeed, I do believe the timing with the jets going overhead was especially nice. All my best, Debbie
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Oh Patty, I almost forgot to tell you that I also have one of your pansy pincushions in my collection, it is one of my favs because of the pansies and they look so real, actually better because they will not fade away.
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The photo of those planes gave me a memory. My manperson was in the military for a decade, and Those PLanes were so noisy, So Noisy.
I read somewhere that a person’s stress level rises each time a telephone rings. A phone.
Now fly those planes.
Bit louder than a phone ringing, no?
You sort of strike me as a silence girl yourself (seeing as you drink lawn and all, i think you’ll get my boring ‘i love quiet’ diatribe)
I am sorry that was the last apple tree picnic at her home.
There is nothing more to say other than i am damn sorry for that.
is that you peeking out from behind those roses and forget me nots?
Well, seeing as i’ve left you the Most Boring Comment Ever, i’ll end it now 🙂
Xx,
Amy
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What a thoughtful and sweet post. I love that you notice all that is going on around you and your remembrance of your parents. Beautiful quote also.
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What a heart felt post Patty….beautiful words and captures of your childhood home.
I found it very touching reading it. Such beautiful flowers still grow there which they planted with their own two hands….how lovely indeed.
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Oh that must have been hard… I love your photos! The roses are gorgeous and I adore Forget me Nots! Still haven’t gotten around to planting mine – will have to do that – I bought 10 packages of seeds this year! 😀
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Such a special post Patty….we all feel for you. Your photos are beautiful and I adore the little needle-case.
xxx
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visiting from I made it so’s Friday Archive Dive. What a beautiful tribute to your parents – and what a special place under the apple tree to have picnic and remember.
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thanks for sharing, patty. it’s nice to read this one again, such a lovely, heartfelt post. and i didn’t notice the ladybird on the wispy green plant the first time i read this!
(also, i have to thank you for naming the chicory plant i recently posted. i didn’t know what it was, and was hoping someone might clue me in… thanks so much, you must’ve read my mind ;))
hope you’re enjoying your summer. have a great week ahead!
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What a beautiful post! I love the title and all of the images, and especially the quote at the end.
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