In A Vase On Monday is hosted by Cathy whose creativity and skill are an inspiration to us all. Click here to visit her blog, Rambling in the Garden...and nurturing my soul, to see what floral treat she's put together this week and to find links to other participating bloggers' efforts.
And so, as it always does, the last day of school came and with it many thoughtful gifts from my students' families. The greatest gift, though, is the trust that parents place in me to work with their most precious children and I hope that in some small way, I can make a difference for my kids and their families. It's a joy and an honor to help nurture these forming minds. Like growing plants, there is nothing that I can do to force them to grow. However, if I create an appropriate environment, and provide what the seedlings need, with time, they grow to fulfill their potential. As my little flowers leave me on the last day, a part of me goes with them. One parent gave me a beautiful bouquet purchased at a farmers' market consisting of flowers that I've grown at one time or another so I'm cheating and using them for today's vase.
Peony, Godetia, Hypericum berries.
Sweet peas too. The giver of these flowers couldn't have known that each of them comes with a special memory. I won't bore you with the stories but suffice to say it's a perfect collection for me.
Between the peonies and sweet peas, this is a very fragrant bouquet!
My grandmother used to call me her sweet pea so these will go in one of my favorite vases which once belonged to her, then to my mother, and was given to me; a gift in a gift.
I should futz with these a bit so that the peony stem isn't visible but for the moment these make me happy just the way they are.
Happy Monday!
Lovely bouquet, lovely post. That parent must know you are a gardener to pick such a thoughtful gift. I taught elementary art for three years and thought it was the hardest job I ever had, so I salute you. We need dedicated teachers more than ever these days.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky to have such great families share their kids with me!
DeleteWonderful Peter - I am sure you touch every life you meet in a positive way. Not just your students but also us - your blogger and gardener friends. I wish you a fantastic summer with a nice mix of rest and adventure! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anna. Summer will be fun with lots of projects to do and glass classes to teach!
DeleteYou have the most beautiful old vases and this is a fav of mine....how special to get flowers on the last day of school...and I bet they are fragrant!
ReplyDeleteIt was a very thoughtful gift and they scent the dining room beautifully!
DeleteIt was a very thoughtful gift and they scent the dining room beautifully!
DeleteHow sweet of you to compare the nurturing of your students to that of a garden. True, you are planting and nurturing seeds in their little minds. I love the analogy. And I totally adore your grandmother's vase - it is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy kids and my garden bring me great joy and sometimes a bit of consternation. I'm lucky that my siblings aren't all that fond of old things.
DeleteAnna said it well "a fantastic summer with a nice mix of rest and adventure!"...and lots of time in the garden. Yay!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to having dirt under my fingernails for days on end!
DeleteWelcome to summer break and well deserved rest. Saying good bye to the kids must be tough every year, but the joys of summer should help you through it. That is the most unusual vase! The smell of sweet peas is my all time favorite and it has childhood memories attached to it.
ReplyDeleteSaying goodbye is usually fairly sweet as I keep my kids for four to five years but in some cases and when they progress up, I get to see them at the buses each day. In a few cases, I worry about the home situations and worry about how the babies will fare without the stability of school.
DeleteSummer break, yay!!
ReplyDeleteI could handle a summer break, but the rest of that year... better left to more capable hands like yours. :)
ReplyDeleteYour diligence with vases every monday is notable, and if that means that you have to "cheat" once in a while so be it.
This has been an especially satisfying school year and I could be ready to go back after a couple of weeks off to catch up in the garden.
DeleteCheating on the vase post also gives me a little gift of time to do other things in the garden.
Love it!
ReplyDeleteAw, so much sweetness here. Happy Solstice, Happy Summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! Happy Solstice, Happy Summer to you too!
DeleteI have no doubt that you deserve each and every gift you receive from students and parents. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your summer break!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kris! I'll do my best to enjoy playing in the garden more.
DeleteWhat an interesting combination! You're always so creative with these, Peter. The vase is exquisite! I didn't realize you're a teacher--yay, you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift for a teacher/gardener to receive. I love your vase, too.
ReplyDeleteI loved the analogy of nurturing children like we nurture our gardens - I taught 'special needs' children and was just saying to a friend yesterday that at the end of ghe summer term they just went off home as if it was the end of a normal day, leaving us who had nurtured them for the year feeling bereft and abandoned! Soon wore off though and we could enjoy the break :) The godetia and sweet peas are a great addition to the bouquet and far prettier than some of the single flowered ones that are readily available. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWe need more teachers who feel as you do...could fix a lot of what is wrong in our world. Happy Summer!
ReplyDelete