This is a photo of my Mom standing in her perennial garden.

by Don
(Augusta, GA USA)

My Mom lived her life in Harlem, GA, a small town just outside of Augusta. Like a kid at Christmas, she eagerly awaited the first sign of her perrenials coming out in early spring. She'd watch over them like waiting for water to boil, always fretting that something didn't survive the winter. As usual though, her garden would flourish every year for as long as I can remember.

Late in the evening, on the day before she suffered a fatal stroke, she was out watering her flowers, snipping an occassional deadhead. admiring a new bloom- just quietly and reverently taking in one of the greatest pleasures throughout her 83 years. I'm thankful for this memory. This photograph and the accompanying poem were on the note cards we sent out to her many friends for their rememberances.