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Art of Alzheimer's Mom handed this to me after one of her walks down the driveway, saying "Here, this is for you." with a huge smile on her face. For the first time in my life, I understood the feeling all you parents out there got when your child gave you that bouquet of dandelions or other wildflowers that they had so proudly picked. It was all perfectly arranged, I just put it into the vase.

Everything in it would be considered "weeds" by most, and looks like a professional arrangement. There are varying heights of flowers, (dandelions and an unidentified yellow flower that I see growing in the ditches around here), different textures in the feathery grass seed head, the interesting flower seed pods, and all wrapped up in the ruffly-edged (cursed) burdock leaf.

It seems well thought-out and purposeful, not just a bunch of random weeds stuck together. She continually amazes me.

Posted by Annie at 8:45 AM 
It's beautifully arranged, and couldn't be more wonderful.

January 30, 2008 at 9:53 AM 
Beautiful. I'll never cease to be surprised by this disease and the behaviors of our loved ones.

January 30, 2008 at 11:23 AM 
I was thinking that would look neat as a still life for a watercolor painting.

January 31, 2008 at 9:51 AM LostInCO said...

Beautiful - the arrangement, and your post.

February 1, 2008 at 11:16 AM 
I appreciate so much that "feeling you parents get" sentence. I told someone once that I had enjoyed being a father but that my caregiving experience had kind of let me understand a little of being a mother.

I remember fixing something for mom and dad and so wanting them to enjoy it. Or, like you, having them give me something in such an innocent way that it just touched my heart.

February 2, 2008 at 10:51 AM 
such a beautiful arrangement. such beautiful people you and your mom are.
i think you nailed the parental feeling, too.

February 3, 2008 at 10:20 AM 
Thanks for the comments. Olga, do you paint? I would love to see this as a watercolor!
Flinty, I agree, cargiving has let me experience being a mother too, I think.
Rick, you're sweet.

February 5, 2008 at 8:40 AM