Sadly we were faced with the saying goodbye to yet another family member yesterday, the First Sergeant's aunt Maxine.
The Iris symbolizes faith, hope and wisdom, something aunt Maxine
A victim of Alzheimer's her last days were spent in the thoughts and memories of her own little world, leaving the family with a desperate need to communicate from the outside.
Such a cruel disease, a silent thief.
Maxine loved to grow flowers, in particular Irises, the Tennessee State flower. Her Iris beds were filled with many Antique varieties a sight to behold when they were all in bloom.
She was an accomplished quilter, hand-stitching heirloom after heirloom. Many of her quilt pieces were salvaged well-worn swatches from her moma's and children's dresses.
The Iris symbolizes faith, hope and wisdom, something aunt Maxine
was abundantly gifted with.
No doubt, she's already laying out her Iris beds up in heaven.
Godspeed Aunt Maxine.
21 comments:
A loving tribute to the aunt with a beautiful flower and kind words.
we lost my dad in 2006, he suffered and so did we, with Parkinsons and Dementia, that stole his memory. I am sure he will love her Iris beds in heaven
I am so sorry for your loss Jo. It is a terrible, cruel disease. We have two very dear friends who have it, and it is very sad to see their decline.
What a beautiful post. I am sorry to hear about your loss.
I didn't know the iris was the state flower of Tennessee. Mistletoe is the state flower of Oklahoma - maybe all the 'good flowers' had already been spoken for?
Your images are STUNNING. I'm excited to become a follower! I found you via British Weekly. XOL
Blessing to you all. I lost my mother to Alzheimer's so understand the long good-bye you've endured and the bit of relief that dear Aunt Maxine is free to be herself once more.
I hope her beloved flowers can be divided up among all of you who loved her if the property is to be sold. That would surely please her.
As a quilter myself, I hope Aunt Maxine's lovely quilts each has a label with her name on it as quiltmaker, the year, and her hometown and state. Future family members will be happy to have that information.
Peace be with you. Hugs ...
My most sincere sympathies to you and your family. This is a lovely tribute and I am glad to have gotten the chance to get to know Aunt Maxine, just a little.
Such a loving post for an obviously, very special person in your lives.
God Speed, Maxine!
XXX
What a lovely tribute, and you have my condolences on your loss. It's a hard thing to lose a person a little at a time. I am hoping you will enjoy her irises for a long, long time. What a beautiful flower it is.
Lovely tribute to Maxine. Sending thoughts of sympathy to you and yours.
So sorry to hear about sarges aunt Maxine. Alzheimers is a terrible disease a silent thief sums it up, and so hard on loved ones.
You have posted a wonderful tribute to Maxine, and her beautiful flowers.
God Bless
What sweet words for your husband's aunt!
Being remembered is perhaps the best gift we can share and keep at the same time!
What a lovely woman she must have been!
Godspeed indeed to your Aunt Maxine!
I'm so sorry to hear that Jo and glad that my post (coincidentally) struck a cord.
I have also lost a friend this week. My friend Kath died on Thursday night at the age of 102~
I am so sorry to hear about your Aunt Maxine. The Iris is also my favorite flower. (Maybe it is a quilter's thing!)
Margaret
I lost my mother to Alzheimer's and it was so sad. So now peace to your dear Aunt Maxine.
Hugs
I'm so sorry for your and the First Sergeant's loss. She will be a gift to heaven. Your tribute is beautiful. May your precious memories of Aunt Maxine bring you comfort. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Love always, Carol B.
So sorry to hear of your loss, often times in our old age memory becomes so very important for us and when that is cruelly taken away all we are left with is day to day frustration of the disease. Sadly Mema and I are going through the same with her father. I believe the stress of seeing him fade is what put her in hospital just three weeks past. Our prayers are for you and the First Sergeant.
I just found you. So sorry about your loss. Your images are beautiful. I live at the edge of Tennessee and Kentucky. Will return :)
I'm sorry to hear about your family's loss. Your tribute to Aunt Maxine is very beautiful.
So very sorry for your loss.
May God comfort you,
d
Hello Jo,
I'm very sorry to read about your husbands Aunt...it's always hard to loose a loved one. Alzheimer's is such terrible disease. Although my Grandfather was never diagnosed with it back in 1969 we all believe it is what robbed him of his memory and eventually took his life. My thought's and prayers go out to you and your family at this time.
Maura X
So sorry for your loss. As much as I love roses, I think I missed seeing the iris most of all when I moved from Tennessee. They are grown with such pride in gardens great and small in Tennessee.
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