For the record...



If you don't learn anything else about your heritage, discover what your parent's favorite flowers are.
Mom and I were watching the intro to Howard's End when Lily of the Valley flashed the screen.
"Ohh, look! That's Lily of the Valley, Mom."
"Yes, that's my favorite flower."
I didn't know that.
"My dad had shrubs growing along the side of the house with Lily of the Valley growing underneath. And, my other favorite flower is Lilac."
Yes, lovely. Of course.
I didn't know Mom's favorite flower before watching Howard's End. But I knew her favorite tree, Weeping Willow, which her dad would never plant because he didn't want the roots invading their water lines. Smart fello!
Mom also surprised me with a preference for light pink and white azaleas. She doesn't like hot pink or red; I'm shocked.
Recently, I did an ancestry DNA test and learned more about my heritage--43% Brittish, et. al. Interesting enough yet somehow lacking. It tells me nothing about personalities, likes, dislikes.
What I would give to have a family tree with each family member's favorite flower listed beside their name.
I wonder, do we really know someone if we don't know their favorite flower? If only--what a wonderful world it would be.
Mom now and then nudges me to write something that speaks politics. Maybe another place or time but it's divisive and raises blood pressure to unhealthy levels. I'll stick to gentle topics like gardening and nature.
I hope never to see the day we argue flora, fauna, or flowers like we do trade agreements, taxation or transit systems.
For the record, Mom, I wrote something about politics. Even better, I wrote about politics and offended no one.
By the way, my favorite flower is Peony--all colors, but I prefer light pink and white.

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