The Chrysanthemum, often called a mum, derives its meaning from the Greek words, chrysos (gold) and anthemon (flower). A symbol of optimism and joy, the mum, reminds me of my own mom, who has a heart of gold. Despite the death of her dad when she was a child, and the near loss of her mom in her youth, she flourished and bloomed in this small town, where she planted her own roots and married my dad fifty years ago. Better Homes and Gardens may refer to mums as the "divas of the autumn garden," but my dad would attest that his little flower is a diva year round.
To me, Hattie L. Knapp, in her poem Chrysanthemum, sums up best how I feel about my dear mom on Mother's Day and always. In her poem Hattie writes:
Ah! she is not a "Summer Friend,"
She stays when all the rest have flown,
And left us flowerless and alone;
No singing birds, or blooms to lend
Their brightness to the autumn haze,
'Tis she who cheers the dreary days;
'Tis joy to know so sweet a friend;
No fairer flower blooms 'neath the sun
Than autumn's queen Chrysanthemum.
Happy Mother's Day Mom!
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