This is a memory jar. It came to me in the 1970s and has been filling up with memories for almost 50 years. I have even dug up and stored some older memories in this jar.
Memory Jar – holding my memories since 1975
It came to be my memory jar in April of 1975 when I was in the hospital after birthing our middle child. A friend, Veronica, stopped to see me with this vase full of flowers and a story. She had been at an auction sale along with another friend, Devron. They both loved this vase so rather than bid against each other, they decided to bid on it and if they got it, they would give it to me. So, the first memory in this jar is of good friends. Every time I use the vase, I think of them and some little fond tidbit pops into my head. The second is of the sweetness of new babies.
Now it is full of lilacs. They also hold a lot of memories for me. The old-fashioned perfume, the flowers that my Mom or Dad brought into our home and the beauty of shrubs and trees and nature are all somehow a part of me.
These lilacs have been part of our yard for many years. The darker purple is Royal Purple developed by Frank Skinner and introduced in 1965. The pink is Maiden’s Blush, also developed by Frank Skinner and introduced in 1965. The lighter purple with variegated leaves is Syringa vulgaris Acubaefolia sold under the common name Dappled Dawn.
Lilacs: Royal Purple (dark purple), Maiden’s Blush (pink), both developed by Frank Skinner and Dappled Dawn (light purple)
I have the maidens blush lilac and it is absolutely beautiful. The scent of the flowers is amazing and the size of the blooms is awesome
We agree. A beauty!
I’m touched by your stories, always. Thanks, Is , for this lovely story of Skinners lilacs, family, friends and memories. 💕
Thank you El. There are so many stories around the arboretum, my Dad’s passion for plants and the people who have been a part of that in some way and I love stories!