Alison Mary Lyon
1959-2019
Today’s vase is a tribute to my younger sister who passed away this week.
It seemed fitting to pick my biggest and brightest dahlias, and pick them in abundance – and so big, so bright and so abundant were they that it took many attempts to find a suitable vase. I would have liked to use a Caithness Glass vase as she was particularly fond of their original 1960s earthy colours, but none of mine were big or heavy enough and a fairly plain green jug had to do to hold ‘Dorothy Rose’, ‘Top Totty’ and ‘Geoffrey Kent’.
By the time I came to place them in the jug, I realised that many of the blooms were not at their freshest, some fading at the edges of their blowsiness and with odd petals dropping as I worked. However, it struck me that life is like that – we just carry on as normal whilst we get progressively older and bits of us start to fail, sooner for some than for others. Likewise, although the dahlias may be big and bright they are not arranged in any cohesive way but nevertheless the overall effect is still pleasing – and indeed most of us live very ordinary lives, cramming as much into them as we can, and the overall effect is most pleasing to those who know and care about us.
So goodbye Ali, you have left family and friends with many fond memories of a busy life ended too soon.
Our Monday vases are created for so many reasons – for our own pleasure, as a gift, as a tribute, or just because…whatever the reason, picking flowers or foliage from our own gardens is a joy in itself. If you are able to create your own vase today then we would be delighted if you chose to share it with the rest of us on IAVOM by leaving the usual links.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your sister.
Thank you
Treasure the happy memories it will help you through. x.
Thanks Elaine; we are a stoical family
My heart goes out to you Cathy. I too lost my sister, a long time ago now, when she was only 32. Part of you goes too. Your flowers are gorgeous and your sister would love them and their vibrant colours. Life is vibrant and has to be celebrated all the time, because it is constantly reaffirming itself. Be kind to yourself and hopefully you can spend some good time in the garden, a healing and restorative place to be. Love to you. Amanda
https://therunningwave.blogspot.com/2019/09/vases-on-monday-with-purple-haze.html
Thank you Amanda, and such thoughtful words too. I agree the garden is a wonderful healing place
Oh, how sad for you Cathy. My heartfelt sympathy. The dahlias are so pretty and what you say about life is so true. I haven’t done my photos yet so I’ll leave my link later. xx
Thanks Cathy – it is helped by the fact we had a family gathering just a week before
Beautiful tribute 🎐
Thank you
I’m so, so sorry for your loss Cathy. I bet Ali would have loved these big, beautiful blooms, as well as your beautifully written tribute. Take care.
Thanks Chris – I hadn’t planned a tribute, but it seemed to fall into place once I started writing the post
Hi Cathy, sorry to hear of your loss.
What a lovely tribute you’ve made for your sister, cramming in all that vibrant colour and wonderful abundance into your perfectly imperfect creation. I hope you find joy in the garden at difficult times
My collection this week includes roses, aster and nasturtium. I find joy in the garden whenever I look for it… https://doingtheplan.com/2019/09/16/autumn-in-a-vase-on-monday/
Jen x
Thanks Jen, but yes, there is always joy to be had in the garden
deepest sympathies for your loss…I think she would love the vase of Dahlias,,,they are beautiful. https://cathscamera.wordpress.com/2019/09/16/in-a-vase-arty-daffodil/
Thanks Cath, yes, she has only ever had a small and largely paved garden and would have found it hard to grow them herself so I am pleased I could give generously today
I’m so sorry to hear this news and hope you’re looking after yourself at this difficult time. It’s a lovely picture and tribute to your sister. I like your comparison of the flowers with people cramming things into their ordinary lives.
Thanks Susan, we are a pretty stoical family but it doesn’t make it any less sad. The comparisons were very much spur of the moment and just seemed apt at the time
That’s a lovely richly coloured bouquet in tribute of your sister, so young to leave this world. My heart goes out to you and your family. Take comfort in your lovely garden and take time to grieve.
xx
Thanks Jude – 40 years ago she was also in an ICU and not expected to pull through, but she went on to have a full life
We really do have to live each day. Never know what might be around the corner.
Yes, I agree entirely
And life goes on.
When my younger sister passed,almost 49 years ago, she was 23 and oddly I felt more sadness for my mother than for myself. Maybe because I was the mother of two little boys and the thought of them leaving was just impossible to imagine.
I pray Gods peace for all of your family. Oh…by the way…the flowers are beautiful. i must try to grow some.
Thanks Beverley, yes, our Mum is still alive and at 93 probably did not expect my sister to go first despite the latter’s illnesses
My condolences on the loss of your sister, a difficult loss and too early. It’s interesting what the garden teaches us sometimes about life. I love the exuberant Dahlias and am jealous as usual. Oddly, I planted some tubers 2 years ago, they have come up twice and just came up again and have not bloomed yet. Perverse things, those Dahlias. Here is my vase and I hope you will find comfort in your garden. http://theshrubqueen.com/2019/09/15/in-a-vase-on-monday-feeling-cooler-not
Thanks Amelia, and the upside is we had just had a family gathering so she had seen almost everyone just a week before
Glad you all got together recently. I lost my oldest brother six years ago and it still seems like he is around.
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Wow Cathy, so sorry to hear this. My brother passed away in 1997 at age 29. It is so long ago it is hard to remember him in my life now. I will tell you time is the greatest ally of being able to just remember the good. I love your dahlia bouquet. Mine are sizzling right now with a bounty of blooms! https://chasingtheblooms.wordpress.com/2019/09/16/in-a-vase-on-monday-september-16-2019/
Thanks Joe
What a beautiful tribute and metaphor for life. I am so sorry for your loss dear Cathy.
Thank you Donna, the metaphor just seemed to materialise
I’m sorry for your loss, Cathy. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Your floral tribute is lovely and I hope preparing it and this post helped a little as you move through the difficult process of grieving. (HUG)
Here’s my post: https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2019/09/in-vase-on-monday-punkin-spice-is-back.html
Thanks so much Kris
What a hard time you and your family are having, and I love the tribute you have given her, down to mentioning what vase she would have liked. Here is my contribution this week:https://noellemace.blogspot.com/2019/09/in-vase-on-monday-great-dixter-moment.html
Thanks Noelle, she lived with serious health conditions, but it was always going to be unexpected when it happened
I’m saddened by this news Cathy, yet uplifted by your tender tribute. Peace and comfort to you.
Thanks Susie, I didn’t especially want to broadcast it but IAVOM means such a lot to me that it seemed the right place for a tribute
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Here is my vase link for today Cathy. Wishing you all the best. xx
https://wordsandherbs.com/2019/09/16/in-a-vase-on-monday-experimenting/
Thanks so much, Cathy
My condolences to you and your family.
Thank you
Cathy, what a beautiful and loving tribute to your sister. I have lost two sisters so I understand how you might be feeling. Thank you for sharing memories of your sister. I will carry you both in my heart today. Sending you love. 💕
Thank you for your kindness, Maggie
My heart goes out to you and your family Cathy. X
Thanks Dorris
Such joyful colours to celebrate your sister Cathy. You know why the NGS charity is close to my heart. My vase was for my by appointment today. https://digwithdorris.wordpress.com
Be kind to yourselves x
Thanks Dorris; it was the fullness of the dahlias and their overall impact that I felt was appropriate in the circumstances. It still amazes me how much money the NGS raises each year and I have found several people donate more when they realise what charities are supported
It is an incredible amount, just from garden visits, tea drinking and cake eating. Such important work
And some people have no real idea what garden visits are about – that was quite clear when we did a stint at the Staffs County Show – so promoting it is still crucial
Amazing really. Where have they been
ps ‘comments off’ in your post today 😦 So pleased that you had such a lovely group though. Must remember to pick grasses for vases myself, as your look lovely
No idea why it keeps changing. So annoying
I’m so sorry to hear about your sister’s passing; I love the photographer of her that you chose to share with us. I hope the pain of her passing soon turns to very happy memories of her life. Your beautiful dahlias are a lovely tribute to her. Hugs.
Thanks Christina – it was one I took when I was 13 or so, with an old ‘box’ camera, the earliest photo I have of her
I’m sorry to read of your sister’s passing, Cathy. May your fond memories of her sustain you through the days ahead.
My vases this week: https://wp.me/p3O3z4-2nx
Thanks Eliza
Oh I am so sorry to hear your sad news dear Cathy. What beautiful flowers and such a lovely photo of your sister. She looked as if she was having great fun. Will be thinking of you and your family. Take care ((())) xxx
Thanks for your kind words, Anna. I all but remember taking this photo, way back in 1966! She has only ever had a teeny tiny garden of her own but has always still got pleasure from it
Cathy, I send you my condolences on the death of your sister. Losing a sibling must hurt deeply, and a younger sibling’s death seems out of what we expect as the natural order. I am very sorry for your family’s loss. Martha
Sent from my iPad
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Thank you Martha
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. What a sweet tribute to your sister. And yes, don’t flowers make us feel better, especially when we’ve managed to grow them ourselves?
Yes, it was a glorious bunch to remember her with
Ah Cathy, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your sister. Your dahlias will always now be a beautiful reminder of her.
Yes indeed, thank you
I’m so sorry to hear of your sister’s death. The dahlias you chose are a lovely way to remember her. My thoughts are with you.
Thanks Sharon
With great sympathy I send my condolences. Your dahlias are a nice tribute to your sister.
Thank you Lisa – we nearly had a frost last night so I am pleased I was able to pick such a big bunch before they are seen off by the cold. Hopefully they will be flowering for several more weeks yet
She was the same age as my sis. I am so sorry. Bless your family.
Thank you, FR
Cathy my deepest condolences. I deeply regret the death of her little sister Ali. In the photo she is very beautiful and playing very funny. What he has written in his blog is a tribute to his sister along with the wonderful bouquet of Dalias that they would surely love. Remember the good times you spent with her. And your garden will be a good place to think and grieve. My heart and my thoughts are with you Cathy. Hugs. Much love for your family and for you. Take care of yourself and don’t let yourself cry. Although crying helps, but not too much. Greetings from Margarita xxxx
What kind words, thank you Margarita
So sorry to read this Cathy. Such a shock. And she was far too young. I never had a sister, but would have loved one. I have three younger brothers I am very close to. Your words and flowers are such a lovely tribute to Ali. Take comfort in your garden, your family and your friends on here. Sending all my love. Thinking of you. Karen xxx
Thank you Karen, such kind words
A lovely tribute to your sister. The loss of a sibling is a particular type of loss – someone who has been there for most of your life, sharing many similar family memories. So glad you had a recent family gathering. Much love to you and your Mum.
Thanks Sandra, the family gathering was a real blessing, and she organised it…
Oh Cathy, I’m so sorry to read of your loss. Yes, far too soon x
Thanks Jessica
I’m so sorry to read this, Cathy. I hope you are ok. Sending deepest sympathies xx
Thank you Sam, so kind
I am sorry about your loss. I am also sorry to be so tardy about saying so – more than a week.