WHEN in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary….
Mom’s Old Flowers [Written July 2, 2017]
byVanderleunonJune 11, 2019
Yesterday at my mom’s apartment, I drop by after buying a fresh bouquet of flowers for her at the Chico Saturday Farmers’ Market. I do this because I know that her last fresh flowers are from Mother’s Day — live lilies in a white plastic pot — are getting wilted and sad on the table near her window.
I get a vase down from the kitchen shelves and carefully arrange the bouquet. Mom is at the kitchen counter paying her bills. I take the vase over to the table and start to remove her lilies.
“No, no. Leave them there,” says Mom.
“But, mom, they’re tired and wilted and will be dead soon.”
“Now, now, you just leave them there. I’m watching them.”
Wow! My mom lost her sense of humor when she turned 70.
Dr. JayJuly 2, 2017, 3:01 PM
Over the years I’ve read your “My Mom’s Birthday” stuff, and enjoyed each one. You are blessed man mr. Vanderleun. Blessed, yes indeed.
LeslieJuly 2, 2017, 4:34 PM
I love your mom.
LeslieJuly 2, 2017, 4:37 PM
Btw, those are called Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum) and they will continue to grow and bloom with care. I think you should care for them to keep her motivated. A friendly competition is always good.
Cletus SocratesJuly 2, 2017, 4:44 PM
Visited Dad (90) and Mom (86) today – 160 mile drive – not too bad. He is rather frail but alert and engaged tho even talking is a challenge, much less getting around. Mom is a bundle of energy that amazes me. These people, like your mom, are a gift from God.
Peace
Bang GunleyJuly 2, 2017, 5:36 PM
I don’t know your Mom but I love her. What a line.
bgarrettJuly 2, 2017, 5:53 PM
I love your mom
NoriJuly 2, 2017, 7:20 PM
A wicked sharp sense of humor in those Vanderleun genes. Suspect it aids in longevity.
Nip those spent Spath blooms off,the plant will continue to grow.
Your Mom is quite an awesome lady.
Monty JamesJuly 2, 2017, 7:55 PM
Hardcore, and what an example for the rest of us. Thanks for the post, best to your mother.
Heh, your Mom is the best! These days a particular favorite of mine is Willie Nelson’s new song “I woke up this morning and I’m still not dead.” God bless the Vanderleuns.
Yes Gerald, thank you for sharing her life with us. She was a gem. Being from ND, I always enjoyed her first memories in Fargo. Let the Lord shorten her travel to His side.
StephanieJune 11, 2019, 7:01 PM
You have been such a lucky son and a lucky man. All mothers to sons wish they could live as long to be such wonderful allies. God bless you both! Always.
Matt BurchettJune 11, 2019, 7:18 PM
What a beauty and a cutie she “was” for us … and now “is” for all time and beyond. I share your grief today while holding fast to the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through Christ. Joyous reunions await us, sir. You may count upon it.
Very sorry for your loss. Many passings for you and all very close.
My reminder to take the days as gifts. You are our gift, and your lovely mom has also been a gift for us.
Take care, Gerard.
B_RadJune 11, 2019, 9:01 PM
Lost both my parents in their 80’s. The hurt never really goes away. It’ll catch up with me in the early mornings to this day. 104? Holy crap she should be celebrated not morned. Easier said than done. Stay strong my friend.
D S CraftJune 12, 2019, 8:14 AM
Mr. Van der Leun, I’ve been reading you for many, many years now, going back to not long after 911. Over the years I’ve read your posts regarding your mom with such envy that you still had your mom with you and have said so in a few comments, but dreading the arrival of this day which has come to pass. I felt over the past month or so that you have been telling us that you knew the time had arrived and to be prepared. And so it has. But do know this: you are not alone. You have many, many people who care deeply for you and your mom walking right along beside you helping you carry this terrible load. Also know that your mom lived a good life and, from all accounts, enjoyed it to the fullest. It was a life well lived. And finally, know that you are a good son. You understood long ago what a treasure you had in your mom and you showed it. What more can a mother ask for than the love of her family. If I was one one-hundredth the wordsmith you are I could write something inspiring that might make you feel better, but I’m not so I’ll just leave you with this poem that I picked up from you. I love it so much.
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
By Mary Elizabeth Frye
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
Sam L.June 12, 2019, 9:25 AM
A mom for the ages, Gerard!
VanderleunJune 12, 2019, 9:30 AM
Thank you all… and thank you, Craft. As you can see I’ve placed the poem on the side.
God bless all.
IPJune 12, 2019, 11:49 AM
Prayers and strength to you sir. Be certain in this, your mother will be missed by us all.
Real World Address for Donations, Mash Notes and Hate Mail
Gerard Van der Leun
1692 MANGROVE AVE
APT 379
Chico, Ca 95926
Green Pants Interior by Klahn
Who Am I? by Carl Sandburg
My head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I reach my hands and play with pebbles of destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beauty
And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
Duty, Beauty, Liberty, Country, Honor, Family, Faith — Plus a few simple easy to follow rules for guys
Men saw the stars at the edge of the sea
They thought great thoughts about liberty
Poets wrote down words that did fit
Writers wrote books
Thinkers thought about it
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
Many’s the road I have walked upon
Many’s the hour between dusk and dawn
Many’s the time
Many’s the mile
I see it all now
Through the eyes of a child
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
And close your eyes
Leave it all for a while
Leave the world
And your worries behind
You will build on whatever is real
And wake up each day
To a new waking dream
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Change, change come over
Change come over
Talkin’ about a change
Change, change
Change come over, now
Change, change, change come over
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
Yesterday at my mom’s apartment, I drop by after buying a fresh bouquet of flowers for her at the Chico Saturday Farmers’ Market. I do this because I know that her last fresh flowers are from Mother’s Day — live lilies in a white plastic pot — are getting wilted and sad on the table near her window.
“No, no. Leave them there,” says Mom.
Gerard Van der Leun
Comments on this entry are closed.
Wow! My mom lost her sense of humor when she turned 70.
Over the years I’ve read your “My Mom’s Birthday” stuff, and enjoyed each one. You are blessed man mr. Vanderleun. Blessed, yes indeed.
I love your mom.
Btw, those are called Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum) and they will continue to grow and bloom with care. I think you should care for them to keep her motivated. A friendly competition is always good.
Visited Dad (90) and Mom (86) today – 160 mile drive – not too bad. He is rather frail but alert and engaged tho even talking is a challenge, much less getting around. Mom is a bundle of energy that amazes me. These people, like your mom, are a gift from God.
Peace
I don’t know your Mom but I love her. What a line.
I love your mom
A wicked sharp sense of humor in those Vanderleun genes. Suspect it aids in longevity.
Nip those spent Spath blooms off,the plant will continue to grow.
Your Mom is quite an awesome lady.
Hardcore, and what an example for the rest of us. Thanks for the post, best to your mother.
I also like flowers on the wilt. Your mom’s a smart cookie.
priceless, precious … she is simply the best
She is truly a delight.
Heh, your Mom is the best! These days a particular favorite of mine is Willie Nelson’s new song “I woke up this morning and I’m still not dead.” God bless the Vanderleuns.
Gerard, I see where you got your talent for writing.
That’s the perfect snapshot for a lady that can find humor in the ephemeral. We all miss her.
Oh, I laughed out loud!
Everything was, apparently, always on her terms. Sweet rest, grant her, O Lord!
Gerard, your mom was a gem. But you knew that. Again, thanks for sharing her with us.
Good sense of humor. Naturally. Of course.
I suspect everybody who lives to be 100+ has one.
This great story brought a smile to my face! Thanks, and hang in there my good man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY23vUojR68 A rose among the thorns
Yes Gerald, thank you for sharing her life with us. She was a gem. Being from ND, I always enjoyed her first memories in Fargo. Let the Lord shorten her travel to His side.
You have been such a lucky son and a lucky man. All mothers to sons wish they could live as long to be such wonderful allies. God bless you both! Always.
What a beauty and a cutie she “was” for us … and now “is” for all time and beyond. I share your grief today while holding fast to the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through Christ. Joyous reunions await us, sir. You may count upon it.
Very sorry for your loss. Many passings for you and all very close.
My reminder to take the days as gifts. You are our gift, and your lovely mom has also been a gift for us.
Take care, Gerard.
Lost both my parents in their 80’s. The hurt never really goes away. It’ll catch up with me in the early mornings to this day. 104? Holy crap she should be celebrated not morned. Easier said than done. Stay strong my friend.
Mr. Van der Leun, I’ve been reading you for many, many years now, going back to not long after 911. Over the years I’ve read your posts regarding your mom with such envy that you still had your mom with you and have said so in a few comments, but dreading the arrival of this day which has come to pass. I felt over the past month or so that you have been telling us that you knew the time had arrived and to be prepared. And so it has. But do know this: you are not alone. You have many, many people who care deeply for you and your mom walking right along beside you helping you carry this terrible load. Also know that your mom lived a good life and, from all accounts, enjoyed it to the fullest. It was a life well lived. And finally, know that you are a good son. You understood long ago what a treasure you had in your mom and you showed it. What more can a mother ask for than the love of her family. If I was one one-hundredth the wordsmith you are I could write something inspiring that might make you feel better, but I’m not so I’ll just leave you with this poem that I picked up from you. I love it so much.
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
By Mary Elizabeth Frye
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
A mom for the ages, Gerard!
Thank you all… and thank you, Craft. As you can see I’ve placed the poem on the side.
God bless all.
Prayers and strength to you sir. Be certain in this, your mother will be missed by us all.