Our women and old roses

This old photo came into my hands last week and in honour of Mother's Day I thought I'd post it. This is me, babe in arms, at my Christening with my Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. 4 generations of women, now 4 generations of Mothers. Something that connects us as women in a way other than familial.....a deep understanding of what it means to be a woman with children, of love so deep it was unimaginable before, of sacrifice, of hard work and joys, of seeing your face mirrored in little ones, of the incredible miracle of creation and the realization that so many others have tread here before you in this new world.

"Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws."
~ Barbara Kingsolver

Mia picked this old rose from Mum's garden yesterday. It is one transplanted from my Grandparents garden. You know the old "real" roses that smell so sweet and rich, and feel velvet to the touch? I wore it in my hair for the afternoon and placed it by my bedside before sleep. Despite it's size and dwindling outer beauty it's deep scent filled the bedroom all night. To me that is so much more beautiful than any rose or flower you could ever purchase. A reminder of times of old when quality was appreciated over mass production and outer beauty was appreciated slightly less.

Happy Mother's Day Mothers.

The sweetest sounds to mortals given
Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven.
~William Goldsmith Brown