Bloom with Flair (and Fragrance)
A Year of Noticing - Day 267
Peonies captured my attention again today. I suddenly noticed the strong, sweet, floral fragrance wash over my body and was so strong I could taste it! As I felt consumed by the scent, I was transported instantly to a childhood memory of hugs that felt a little too tight, into the large bosom of a friendly, grandmotherly woman who cared deeply for me and my sisters. Her vibrant and colourful floral clothing mirrored the strong fragrance of her perfume, and her sparkling earrings added to her flair.
She didn’t have grandchildren of her own, and with each hug I felt her immense love that was yearning for a young heart to share and connect with. Her extra spritzes of perfume were often what lingered with me, more than her kindness… as she was a woman whose essence, love for life and fragrance from her perfume lingered long after she left a room!
What was beautiful, is that I felt her tight, loving embrace as the fragrance of the peonies surrounded me. She was someone who was always so generous with her time, her gifts and her loving presence and we often enjoyed walks by the beach and pier near my childhood home. She also treated me (and my sisters) to lunch at the most elegant restaurant I had ever been to in my life! She exuded elegance that, to my young mind, seemed reserved for actors and famous singers, and to be in her commanding, yet genuine presence seemed a paradox each time.
In the eighties we might have named it eccentric, however now we are in a decade where I can see that she was being her authentic self - decades before that was considered “en vogue”, and from my young perspective, she always was fully, completely and apologetically her authentic self!
The incredible flair of all the peonies I noticed today, exuded her exuberance and bold way of living with their fluffy, double blooms - unapologetically thriving and blooming in their unique way!
With a “poof” of colour and added flair, the uniqueness of these peonies is beautiful and unexpected… and that was a beautiful gift that I can feel from our dear, family friend. With an encouragement to live and embody a little of that flair, and to show my true colours - in all ways!
Like these peonies, that start as single ball then burst into a second bloom, it feels like my memories today burst into their second bloom and I could really appreciate both these peonies, and my grandmother Mary in beautiful new ways!
xo