stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Apr 18, 2021 14:39:22 GMT -5
This past winter I lost my Mom. She had been in kidney failure for years and was on dialysis 3 times a week. She had a constant battle with C-dif and had become bed ridden. My father took excellent care of her and brought her back from the brink more times than we care to think about. Well her body and spirit gave out mid December. Luckily my sister, my dad, and I were all able to be at her bedside as she passed. It was a rough Christmas but as they say life goes on. Fast forward to today and my wife and I went for a hike on the Finger Lakes Trail that crosses near out house. It was a semi nice day and some fresh air was needed. We headed out and the hike was rugged and muddy but we discovered a huge patch of leeks (my wife doesn't like them but I do) and I found a real nice quartzite hunk (about the only thing worth tumbling around here lol). Well we had a difficult stream crossing to accomplish and my old fat a$$ did not make the leap too well. I hit a very slick rock and went down hard on the opposite bank (thank goodness I did not land in the creek). When I opened my eye this was staring at me!  This is a red Trillium, my mom's favorite flower. I had not seen any other Trillium up to this point (over a mile into the hike). There were several others in the area but this was the only one that was open! Yes mom was up there looking down at me and have a great laugh! The rest of the hike was uneventful (other than the mud) and we ended up hiking 4.75 miles total. Yup I'm whooped! |
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A story
Apr 18, 2021 15:17:46 GMT -5
Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 18, 2021 15:17:46 GMT -5
stefan I'm so sorry for your loss. Rest assured, that indeed was your mom letting you know she's there. 
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A story
Apr 18, 2021 20:27:22 GMT -5
Post by jasoninsd on Apr 18, 2021 20:27:22 GMT -5
Stefan, I think it's wonderful that your mom was out there on your hike and took the time to say hello to you! Gorgeous flower...I can see why it was/is her favorite. (I hope you hurt your pride more than your bum on your tumble. - Totally the wrong kind of "tumble" by the way!  ) |
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A story
Apr 18, 2021 20:35:25 GMT -5
Post by fernwood on Apr 18, 2021 20:35:25 GMT -5
The passing of a mom is always tough, no matter why.
Yes, your Mom appeared to you as her favorite flower.
I love red trilliums. They are not native where I live, but transplanted some from Indiana at a former WI residence. My Mom loved them, too. Red was her favorite color.
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Post by Pat on Apr 18, 2021 20:48:36 GMT -5
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your story is a wonderful memory for you and your family. Trilliums, especially the vibrant red trilliums, will connect you to your mom and memories. I like her sense of humor in her timing.... |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 18, 2021 23:26:53 GMT -5
Sorry for your loss, but thank you for sharing your story. Your mom was surly hiking with you in spirit. |
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thebeef
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2020
Posts: 62 
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Post by thebeef on Apr 19, 2021 14:40:34 GMT -5
Beautiful story. Consider tumbling some of the quartzite as a background, then preserving and placing one of the red trillium with the stones in resin.
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Post by MsAli on Apr 19, 2021 18:28:12 GMT -5
That brought tears to my eyes! Mom was saying hi🥰
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Apr 19, 2021 18:44:17 GMT -5
Thanks all. I'm not a huge believer in this kind of stuff (whatever you want to call it- spirits, ghosts, angels whatever)but this was just too coincidental to be ignored. My wife (a much more spiritual person than I), was very humbled by the experience (after she confirmed that I was ok and hurt nothing but my pride). I liked the idea of preserving the flower BUT picking a Trillium is against the Law in lot of areas (in NY). The flower is actually part of the entire system and is needed to survive. Once pick of it's flower and Trillium will usually die (hence the reason they have become endangered in a lot of areas). If the plant does manage to survive it will never bloom again. We are lucky in New York as we have White, Red and Painted Trillium (although Painted have eluded me). Pretty sure I am going to get a tattoo of a Trillium this summer if I can muster up the courage (It will be my first).
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,625
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Post by RWA3006 on Apr 19, 2021 19:23:54 GMT -5
I am old enough and have seen enough that I do not believe in coincidences except for rare occasions. When you consider contexts and probabilities mixed with the timing of events in our lives I feel compelled that there's something going on just outside the realm of our perception. Humans crave to assign meaning and purpose to our lives and I believe there is a reason beyond the emotionalism of the creature.
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thebeef
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2020
Posts: 62
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Post by thebeef on Apr 19, 2021 20:54:51 GMT -5
Thanks all. I'm not a huge believer in this kind of stuff (whatever you want to call it- spirits, ghosts, angels whatever)but this was just too coincidental to be ignored. My wife (a much more spiritual person than I), was very humbled by the experience (after she confirmed that I was ok and hurt nothing but my pride). I liked the idea of preserving the flower BUT picking a Trillium is against the Law in lot of areas (in NY). The flower is actually part of the entire system and is needed to survive. Once pick of it's flower and Trillium will usually die (hence the reason they have become endangered in a lot of areas). If the plant does manage to survive it will never bloom again. We are lucky in New York as we have White, Red and Painted Trillium (although Painted have eluded me). Pretty sure I am going to get a tattoo of a Trillium this summer if I can muster up the courage (It will be my first). There are a few protected trillium, but red are secure (G5) and not protected in New York. You can even buy them. By happenstance, I'd looked into this recently and learned that it isn't picking a trillium flower that is the issue, but picking it along with the leaves. Taking just the flower can make it even more likely that it'll bloom again and larger. But, removal of the leaves damages the plant. Here's the New York list www.nynhp.org/documents/5/rare_plants_2020.pdfAnyhow, I won't sidetrack us any further, and the tattoo idea is a good one. |
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Post by Pat on Apr 19, 2021 21:20:22 GMT -5
I see that Amazon sells red trillium bulbs.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Apr 20, 2021 18:41:28 GMT -5
Thanks all. I'm not a huge believer in this kind of stuff (whatever you want to call it- spirits, ghosts, angels whatever)but this was just too coincidental to be ignored. My wife (a much more spiritual person than I), was very humbled by the experience (after she confirmed that I was ok and hurt nothing but my pride). I liked the idea of preserving the flower BUT picking a Trillium is against the Law in lot of areas (in NY). The flower is actually part of the entire system and is needed to survive. Once pick of it's flower and Trillium will usually die (hence the reason they have become endangered in a lot of areas). If the plant does manage to survive it will never bloom again. We are lucky in New York as we have White, Red and Painted Trillium (although Painted have eluded me). Pretty sure I am going to get a tattoo of a Trillium this summer if I can muster up the courage (It will be my first). There are a few protected trillium, but red are secure (G5) and not protected in New York. You can even buy them. By happenstance, I'd looked into this recently and learned that it isn't picking a trillium flower that is the issue, but picking it along with the leaves. Taking just the flower can make it even more likely that it'll bloom again and larger. But, removal of the leaves damages the plant. Here's the New York list www.nynhp.org/documents/5/rare_plants_2020.pdfAnyhow, I won't sidetrack us any further, and the tattoo idea is a good one. Great read and yes indeed I miss spoke about picking the flower, the problem is the green leaves attached to the flower make it near impossible to pick. The Red Trillium was listed as endangered not long ago (ok 40 years is not long right?). Conservation and education has made a difference! |
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on May 2, 2021 10:10:03 GMT -5
Went for a walk yesterday in a local county park. I have note been there in years. Stumbled across these beauties! White Trillium. Have not seen any of these in 10 years! No harrowing story, just a pleasant walk with my wife and the puppy.  |
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Post by fernwood on May 3, 2021 9:25:13 GMT -5
They are very prolific in WI. Glad you were able to see some.
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electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 341
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Post by electrocutus on May 3, 2021 9:35:10 GMT -5
I'm very sorry for your loss. It looks like your mom had a great sense of humour.
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