My Mother worked in Downtown Houston most of my early childhood as an Administrative Assistant for Exxon Mobile. She actually worked for the Oil Company 22 years across different roles and departments before she left and started her own business. She is one of the most determined people I know.

My parents divorced when I was very young, and admittedly, there is very little that I recall about my parents living together. The few memories I can drum up of that time seem out of place and most context. I have asked about a few specific memories, however the majority of my recollection has been traveling between 2 homes and each time there.

My mother had primary custody and did her best to be both parental roles at times. What she taught me was the product of what she said as well as what I witnessed in her home.

Of the many things that I picked up while growing up was sending her flowers. I don’t know if it was a birthday or other occasion, but, at some point I started to send her small arrangements using the florist caddy corner to the Elementary School I attended. It was infrequent, but a nice way to show her I cared.

My budget was minimal, but the team at Killion’s Milam Florist was always kind and helpful. They are still in that same building, on Fairview after all these years.

Picking a song this week was pretty intricate and challenging. Most songs about flowers are for one’s romantic interest. That was never how I associated Killion’s for my mother. The other song options included bringing flowers to a parent after it is too late; Also not the message I was hoping to convey before Mother’s Day 2020. So, I chose a song that I think was a better arranged for our post this week.

My mom’s favorite flower is the Stargazer Lilly. In a world where roses were a more popular option, as a kid, I had a hard time understanding why this lily was her favorite, though it displayed her favorite shade of pink. Stargazers are a white and pink striped bloom which largely expand in stems of 2-3 flowers each. The progress of each petal seems more fleeting than other flowers, delicate to the touch and care conditions. Timing of the blooms usually seem staggered, so that each stem would have a bloom fully opened at one time.

It is in this way that Grapevine, Texas raised Jones’ “Lonestar” plays perfectly in my mind.

As I grew older, my path has led me further than ever from who I was as a child. It is a natural progression, but I hear longing to see me in the voice of my parents more and more. So, hopefully, this is me shining down for them.