Go Stand In Front Of That Flower While I Get My Camera

It never failed.

If Grandma had a flower blooming, we stood in front of it to get a picture made.

“My azalea is blooming better than it ever has! Go stand in front of it while I grab my camera!”

“My gardenia is loaded with flowers this year and smells wonderful! Go stand right there! You can get a little closer! Step on up in the flower bed.”

“Can you believe this poinsettia made it planted outside in the ground like this? It’ll make a beautiful Christmas picture! Go stand right there beside it!”

“Look at my wisteria this year! Have you ever seen anything as beautiful? I declare that will make a beautiful Easter picture!”

Never mind the giant bumble bees that flew by our heads as we posed for that perfect picture. We did as we were told and backed up to whatever plant was in bloom, step by step backwards, hoping one of those buzzing creatures did not decide we were as tasty as those flowers.

“Smile!” Grandma would say as she snapped picture after picture while rolling the film forward with her thumb. “Do you think I need a flash?” she would say as she snapped the four-sided blue cube onto the top of the camera.

“Don’t forget to look through that little hole at the top of the camera and focus on us, Grandma” we said, remembering the roll of film she patiently waited to pick up at the drug store, only to find a series of headless grandchildren standing in front of her beautiful flowers. “I declare!” she said.

She always said that.

“Well Grandma, you got some mighty fine pictures of your beautiful flowers!” I thought.

She was precious.

I have the happiest memories of her….from the mind of me.