My mother’s favorite flower was the daffodil. They are shaped like bells. They’re yellow, my mom’s favorite color in the rainbow. We all remember the spring saying we learned in childhood: “April showers bring May flowers.” Last autumn, the bulbs of mom’s favorite flower were planted on the grounds of the Fitzpatrick Monument.
The old monument lies in a triangle formation and is surrounded by pine trees. A mason was assigned to lay the brickwork that commemorates the lives of those lost at war. Unfortunately, the site was abused by those who disagreed with America’s involvement in foreign affairs, especially the war in Vietnam. The Stars and Stripes and POW/MIA flags were pulled down. The newly planted daffodil bulbs were pulled from the ground. These acts disgraced our community’s dream for clean air, antipollution, and safety for our veterans.
My mom, who valued flowers, told her son to go to the landscape department to buy a shovel and a bucket. The unearthed bulbs would be picked up and replanted on our front lawn by her living room window. I took three bulbs, used a gardener’s shovel to dig five inches into the soil, and hoped for the best.
The early spring showers came. Mom was filled with life when she saw the yellow of the three that rose from the ground in unison. Mom’s faith saved the lives of those three daffodil bulbs!
