Even though it’s winter, my backyard is in bloom. We have a large green bush with a group of non-edible red berries on it. The berries are only growing in one spot, and it happens to be right in front of my bedroom window.
Annie loves to go out and look at the fruit trees, and so do I. We had limes when we moved in, and now we have lemons, too. To Annie they’re all “balls” and she just wants to throw them.
There are a few random white daisies growing near the kaffir lime tree, maybe three or four total, seeds brought in by a gust of wind. Annie and I leaned over to smell one when I noticed its dazzling center.
Annie was quickly distracted by fallen fruit, so I sat on the wall and watched her play. After a bit she came over to me and said, “Mama, look!” and pointed behind me. I was 99% certain there was a bear, or a large spider. Instead, I saw greenery. “What am I looking at, Annie?” I asked.
“Maddie flower.”
In a sea of green, a lone purple flower is tall and strong. I don’t know how long it’s been there or how long it will stay, but I really don’t know how Annie came to call it a Maddie Flower. We’ve been very careful to not single out purple as something that is Maddie’s – after all, Annie’s middle name is Violet. Maybe Mike or my parents came across the flower first and named it that. I haven’t asked. I haven’t wanted to.
We stared at it for a while, until Annie said, “Flower pretty, mama,” and blew it a kiss. I blew it a kiss, too. It felt right.
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
What a special wonderful moment for you to share – and share with us. Thank you so much. Lots of love.
Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last [type] ..Not tired, no really I’m not
I believe that is divine. It must be.
Me´s last [type] ..Angst
So do I. I believe that we’re sent little reassuring signs all the time if we’re just paying enough attention to see them. I also believe that small children have gifts that we’ve long outgrown.
When my dad died, mom was given a magnolia tree. The first bloom opened wide on their first wedding anniversary apart.
Also, shortly after he died, my then three year old was singing and dancing in the back yard. She glanced up and said, “Thanks!” And then looked at me and said, “Poppy said that’s a nice song.”
I believe that too..
Beautiful.
Me´s last [type] ..Angst
I love this! It’s like you can see Maddie watching over her mommy and daddy and little sister at your new home. It reminds me of surprise daisies that sprang up in a very significant spot the week of my due date for a baby that I miscarried. I know it’s not the same, but we’d never had them before that year and now they bloom every year right about the same time. Each year the bunch is bigger, and each year I think of the baby that might have been.
On a somewhat related note, can we no longer access your blog via remembermaddie.com? As I’ve said before, that’s always the address I use to get here and I think of Maddie every time I type it.
Your photos are really beautiful, Heather! Annie’s comment about “Maddie’s flower” just stopped me in my tracks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Some questions are better not asked. Maddie’s flower is lovely!! I’m sure she would and probably does love it. Did you ever plant the “Forget Me Nots” sent you on the Anniversary of Maddie a year ago?
Enjoy the sun, warmth & the flowers!!
Love,
Jenn
Looks like an african daisy, maybe? What a gorgeous surprise.
It is an African Daisy. They pretty much bloom year round here.
Nice. We’re in northern Florida, and they’re just annuals here.
I don’t think I’ve ever made the connection between the favourite colour and Annie’s middle name. Was that intentional?
Either way, beautiful story, it’ll be nice for Annie to be able to look back at the story of her whole life here one day.
Heather´s last [type] ..As promised, months ago
Kids can be a bit spooky that way sometimes. My niece, whose little sister was stillborn at eight months of pregnancy when my niece was a little over one, at age three painted a picture called “Sister-to-Sister” that had the two of them sailing together in a boat through the sky….out of nowhere…
It does make you feel they maybe sense things we don’t. That’s lovely.
And, can I say how jealous I am that you have lemon and lime trees IN YOUR YARD???
It’s amazing the things kids just know and pick up on without us even realizing it. This brought tears to my eyes. You definitely have a guardian angel forever watching over you.
It takes a lot to bring tears to my eyes, but this did. I truly believe in messages from ‘beyond’, and will always believe it. This is just too beautifuL for words, and I’m happy for you. Yes, it’s 5.30am here in LA and I’m still awake, which is why I created the ‘Insomnia Group’. haha!
“Believe” !!!
There’s not much that brings tears to my eyes, but this did! I truly believe in messages from ‘beyond’, so ‘BELIEVE’! I’m happy for you. Yes, it’s 5.30am here in LA, and I’m still awake! This is why I created the ‘Insomnia Group’!
Sorry for the double post. I thought the first one didn’t post, but I guess it did. Oh well, no big deal. <3
Sweet tears this morning.
Beautiful. I have always associated cardinals for my grandmother. It’s always so reassuring when I see one.
Oh, my!
An eternal bloom.
Amanda´s last [type] ..Eyes Slow With Sleep
Truly a sign. What a beautiful and touching moment. I also believe that children sense things we don’t, like others have written in the comments above, and that the sister bond is an incredible one. I hope that Maddie Flower brings you comfort today.
Momma Lioness Michele´s last [type] ..From Daddy to Drake
How incredibly sweet!
Neeroc´s last [type] ..Alright, let’s just do this
You can think what you want about that flower. But I think it was Maddie letting you know that she’s with you in the new house. And I think Annie knows it too. Beautiful.
I’m not a religious person and I’ve had things like that happen that I know must have something to do with my mother’s spirit. Beautiful. By the way, your red-berry bush is a pyrocantha.
So beaufitul
That took my breath.
That was literally a heart stopping post to read. That is truly something to cherish.
oh wow. Beautiful. I think it’s amazing how Maddie will speak to you throughout your lives, and to come through Annie makes it even more precious.
robin´s last [type] ..8 is Great! Except when it’s your kid, and then 8 is getting too old, too fast.
Tears over here! The white daisy with the beautiful blue, violet and yellow center reminded me of Maddie’s eyes. What a special thing for Annie to say, you should keep that flower. I wanna grow up in your backyard. It’s aweome!
Wow, I think, even if someone did call it a “Maddie Flower” in Annie’s presence, the fact that she remembered, and pointed it out to you, is special, in and of itself. But I do want to believe no one told her anything.
It’s lovely that Maddie will always be a part of Annie’s life, in big and small ways.
Angela´s last [type] ..Photo of the Day – Jan 15 2012
Wow, what a moment. It gave me chills.
A beautiful purple flower in the sea of green, beautiful.
Lisa´s last [type] ..6 Months
This brought tears to my eyes. So beautiful, just like your girls.
I too got chills.
Lovely post, beautiful moment.
Heather, I believe things like that are a sign. My grandma, who loved cardinals, which she called “redbirds,” died on Christmas 14 years ago. On Christmas morning, as I was preparing our dinner, I looked out the window and saw a beautiful redbird sitting on my fence. I truly believe that was her way of letting me know she’s still around.
When you named Annie “Annabel Violet,” I thought that was a lovely way of making Maddie a part of Annie and remembering Maddie. I think that by doing that, purple things are both Maddie and Annie’s and tie them together, forever.
Thanks for sharing your sweet story of the Maddie Flower. Annie’s a smart girl.
Sonya aka Glam-O-Mommy´s last [type] ..How Do You Know When You’re Done?
She knows.
Perfection.
Beautiful! I am sure that Maddie caught that kiss and blew one back to you and another one to her little sister. What a wonderful sign I am so happy for you.
Maybe purple will just be *their* thing. The thing that connects them even if they can’t be together.
Jen´s last [type] ..Speechless
Beautiful thought!
What a beautiful reminder of Maddie! Annie is certainly one smart kid, and I love that you gave her the middle name Violet. It’s a name all her own, but still its a connection to her sister <3
Also, lemon and lime trees in your BACKYARD?! Jealous. It was 11 degrees here today
these are the small moments in life I live for. Lock it up in your heart, keep it forever.
designhermomma´s last [type] ..Welcoming, Paul Richard
I’m in tears….beautiful flower, beautiful photos…..your beautiful daughter, Annie ,has a sixth sense. How wonderful…..
xxx
That is awesome. Also, definitely a Maddie flower. So sweet!
AmazingGreis´s last [type] ..Wordless(ish) Wednesday – Views from My First Playoff Game…
That beautiful moment has been on my mind since I read it this morning. Just wow…I agree that whether Annie heard someone say it or not, it’s awesome (in every sense of the word) that the words came straight from her little heart. And that she wanted to share it with you right away. And the kiss. Beautiful.
How amazing; I just got goose bumps!
How wonderful! And what a sweet peek into the sensitive,smart, observant young lady Miss Annie is becoming.
Jen L.´s last [type] ..Four
I cried reading this. It’s a sign.
I used to discount these moments. Then I learned that if I listened quietly they happen frequently. Now I embrace them and let myself feel the peace I need.
Peace be with you all. Maddie’s flower is perfectly Maddie.
Your little one–loved all over the world. Literally.
Whether you have meant to or not… Annie knows… and that’s not a bad thing. Tears in my eyes and love for your beautiful daughters in my heart.
Dawn @What’s Around the Next Bend?´s last [type] ..Why I’m okay with making up a snow day on MLK Jr day
What a beautiful post!
That is precious and so touching.
Amazing! Don’t you love moments like that? I just wrote about a similar one on my blog here:
http://stillplayingschool.blogspot.com/2012/01/and-she-was-there.html
Still Playing School´s last [type] ..And She Was There
I’m not a religious person, and typically something of a skeptic, but I do believe that is a sign of some sort. It’s a beautiful flower, and the name seems very fitting. Annie is a very astute little girl, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she knows something we don’t.
Kay´s last [type] ..London Love.
sorry for the double post, and I hope I’m not repeating anyone here, but I believe the white daisy is called a Dimorphotheca pluvialis. Just so you know
Kay´s last [type] ..London Love.
Those red berries are poisonous…especially if you shove them up your nose and don’t tell your mom for a few days. I have some **personal** experience to back up that warning.
I haven’t been on your blog for while. Just thought I’d check it and came across this. How amazing, it gave me cold chills. Such a beautiful flower, just like your precious Maddie
It is so wonderful that you share such beautiful private moments with strangers…big warm hugs to you and Annie … God bless you
What a sweet and precious moment for you both!! Goosebumps at my desk reading this.
She’s always there. I’m glad Annie knows it, too. xoxo
pgoodness´s last [type] ..photos from a walk