Growing up, I looked to my mom for guidance and advice - whether she knew it or not.
Her heartfelt stories always revealed a lesson. They would give me insight into her personality, her choices. These stories would teach me what to do. And sometimes, she was trying to prevent me from following in some of the heavy, regretful footsteps she left behind.
My mom was a certified florist when my older brother was a baby. She worked in a boutique flower shop.
I remember her recalling the time my brother took his first steps at the shop. I’ll never forget the story about her having to make thousands of corsages for a university graduation. “My fingers were numb after all was said and done,” she said with a sigh and a smirk.
Unfortunately, my mom ended up having a huge falling out with the business owner of the flower shop. Once my mom closed that door, she’d never professionally work as a florist again. Being a loving, wonderful mother to me, my brother and sister became her solo gig.
About three years ago, I asked my mom if she’d help me create a flower wreath for my sister as a housewarming gift. My sister had just bought her first house in Louisiana – a place where it’s almost unthinkable to not have a wreath, or two, on your front door.
My mom and I went to the store to pick out the flowers. It was special.
When she started to make the arrangement, I quietly sat back and watched. She was meticulous at her craft. The amount of care she gave to each decision about where to place each piece was incredible.
Then suddenly, and out of nowhere, my mom started to cry.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked.
“You know, Molly, for the last 30 years, I’ve renewed my professional floral license. Even though I’ve never needed it or used it, I paid to keep it. Because it was mine. I earned it. And I thought maybe one day I’d need it again. But I never did,” she said.
“I sometimes wish I wouldn’t have given it up,” she stated softly.
She would go on to finish creating the wreath for my sister and by the end of it all, we were smiling and laughing about having a serious craving for coffee and beignets.
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Don’t give up on something you’re passionate about when it gets hard. Just keep going.
Let’s make my mom proud.
MM
Photo by Erda Estremera on Unsplash