This year...last year...the year before that.

I wonder how many years these flowers have blossomed and bloomed? I wonder if anyone's been counting?

They're so tiny in between their green stalks. I wonder if anyone's been noticing?

This year - I'm watching my mother's garden grow. I'm tending to it. I'm learning from it. Every new day - I'm watching and waiting to see what shows up and where and when. This endless beautiful garden never ceases to surprise me.

Today - it's dotted in purple and blue. Tiny little flowers. They remind me of stars that twinkle and fill the night sky. They look down.

These wee ones wink up at me from the ground.

Hello...I'm here. Come find me.

Sometimes - I think they're talking. Sometimes - I want to think I'm listening.

It's my mother's birthday. It's the last of the firsts we've had to go thru without her.

And - this too shall happen...and it shall pass...as all of this year's markingshave had to.

I know they're talking...even if their voice is a soft one. I know she's listening. I'm sure she can hear.

Happy Birthday. We're all missing you this year.