Here, at age 18, is another persistently blazing star who brought to my young world wonderfully scented tea roses, cloches, lavender and hardy ageratum, spring tulips and daffodils, dunking (not spraying) for a nickle a critter, garden flowers not florists, cuttings and rooting, weigelas and azaleas, cinnamon and chocolate.
At 99 she confessed to me that she did not love my grandfather as much as he loved her, but had a good life nonetheless, and that was all she ever said of it. Life is always more complex than we let on, but why go on about it? She the flower gardener, he the vegetable "farmer," each had their spaces, their gendered roles distinct, yet the young me watched them work together, modeling togetherness, a value she held higher than her own contentment. At 100, Anna's first selfie, above.
Anna Steinert Meuschke (1915-2019) died on New Year's Day at the age of 103.
What a lovely tribute to a woman who helped to shape your love of the land and all that blooms within. Imagine all the "firsts" she saw in her long life. So sorry for your loss, but glad you have all those good memories over the years.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute. I'm sure she was proud to see how her passion for gardening bloomed in you.
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