Peonies for Mom

Today is Mother's Day and I am up early enjoying the birds singing and the big bushy peonies blooming in my Asheville garden. I'll do a run later this morning before the gang comes over for Ellen's brunch. We are honoring our pal Ellen because this w-e, she is graduating with her BSN in Nursing. Tough as it was, she worked full time as an RN at our hospital here AND went to school for the advanced degree. I think we'll get to see a little more of her now. So we are having a big celebratory brunch for her on this beautiful Mother's Day.

My mom, Sara, is in Atlanta to celebrate the college graduation of my niece, Sara, from the University of Georgia, which incidently my mother graduated from as well (a branch of the UGA system in Columbus). My mom also went to college in her 40's and worked hard to attain that precious diploma. She and I were in college at the same time, so I know a thing or two about how hard that must have been to achieve. But my mother is one of the strongest people I know, and when she sets her mind on something, watch out! She always told us " where there's a will, there's a way" and she made that happen. I am so fortunate to have some of her determination and will in me.

I think I also inherited my love of plants from her; so Mom, here are some beautiful peonies I photographed just for you this morning. If I could bring you one so that you could smell its sweet aroma and see all the delicate layers to the blossoms, I would. I love you very much. Happy Mother's Day, your Tree