Queen Anne’s Lace part one tells the story of the significance of this flower in my life. Part two tells of many “coincidences “ surrounding this flower since then.
The date was August 16th, 2011 and two days before my sister’s birthday. We had had a wonderful vacation in Scotland with Kenneth’s wife Sheila and celebrated Ron’s birthday there with many friends and relatives. Our son Andrew came with his girlfriend Melissa, and Stuart came over from Sweden with our granddaughter Isabella who was then five. Back to reality I was waiting to be picked up from work by my husband Ron. There was a large herbaceous border at Leonard Morse Hospital near the spot where I waited and I wandered over to look at the flowers. There, tucked away amidst many colorful flowers of varying sizes was some Queen Anne’s Lace. I had stood there many times but this was the first time I saw it. Take time to look , take time to listen to your heart and take time to be thankful for what was.
September 22nd, 2012 one day before what would have been my dad’s 99th birthday. This was the wedding day of our youngest son Andrew. It was a wonderful wedding and in true Melissa and Andrew style this was written on the back of their Order of Service, ”In lieu of favors a donation has been made to the International Mesothelioma Program in loving memory of Kenneth William Reid, brother to Andrew”
Though we cannot see you, we know you are here.
Though we cannot touch you, we feel the warmth of your smile
As we begin this new chapter in our lives.
Melissa and Andrew
Of course we missed Kenneth and then when I was viewing the wedding photos later I was drawn to a picture taken in the fields of the Pinehills Golf course. Andrew chose that spot because it reminded him of Scotland. As I looked at it again I saw a speck of white to Andrew’s right. Yes, it was Queen Anne’s Lace. The only one on the entire hillside!!
June 14th, 2013 the wedding day of Ron’s sister Christina and Denis. This was an “elopement”. Ron and I were the only ones who knew that during their vacation they would get married here also. It was such a pleasure to help with all the arrangements of a wedding in Natick and a reception at The Wayside Inn. Our family thought that they were coming there for a family dinner but never thought that it was a “wedding reception” for their Aunt. I had ordered the flowers for the button holes and bouquets and went to pick them up 2 hours before the wedding. When I arrived at the florist they were most apologetic that they did not receive any white roses – for Denis and Ron’s buttonholes. I did not panic but just asked Ron to drive me to another florist. Yes, they had white roses but as I went to pay for them I noticed a vase full of white flowers. “Are they Queen Anne’s Lace?” I asked and of course the answer was “Yes.” Christina and I had the addition of a very special flower in our bouquets that day. Here is an excerpt from the photo book I made for them. “It was a wonderful day which was filled with Joy, Love, Laughter, and a touch of sweetness. It is not often that we are given the opportunity to witness such a day and it was all the more precious because of the intimacy of the service and the commitment of Christina and Denis to each other.” Christina and Denis told their family on their return to Scotland and celebrated with them all at a later date.
December 11th, 2013 a chance bunch of Queen Anne’s Lace – Happy Birthday Kenneth.
May 2018 my last tea given at Walnut Hill School. New Cottage dorm head Margaret gave me a gorgeous bunch of flowers – pink roses red peonies and Queen Anne’s Lace. Margaret had no idea that those flowers would touch my heart at so many levels. These can be seen in my large photo at the top of the page.
August 2018 on vacation in Cape Cod – a place we would go when our children were young. I was with my dear friend Mary and visited a thrift shop. As I went to pay for a scarf that I wanted to purchase I encountered once more a piece of Queen Anne’s Lace.
I know that I will see Queen Anne’s Lace many times in the years ahead. A quiet reassurance and wonderful memories.
