Regular readers will know how often I mentioned my wonderful mother-in-law Joan over the years, and particularly the flowers I took to her from my garden. Sadly, I’m sorry to tell you, Joan has passed away. When I saw these daffodils, I thought of Joan. She loved spring flowers, and daffodils in particular. I’ve some very happy memories of flower arranging side by side with Joan. She was a very special, kind and wonderful person. There are very few truly good people in the world, and she was one in a million. I’ve been quite heartbroken to lose someone who always stood by my side in whatever I was doing in life and supported me. These daffodils remind me of the times when the children were little and we used to take them for a walk around the village. With Joan pushing my baby in the pram and me holding a toddler’s hand, we stopped at all the front gardens with daffodils and exclaimed how beautiful each one was and marvelled at the differences between varieties. We were on our way to visit the village pond to feed the ducks, a weekly treat for the children, and at the same time, it gave us a chance to admire all the flowers along the way. Simple pleasures. It made us happy. I shall never forget. I’ve waited to make this announcement so that I could find something happy to say. Joan would not have wanted me to be sad. So I hope you’ll enjoy these few photos here, and smile and remember all the flowers we shared on the blog over the years.
Galantamine is a substance which comes from daffodils and is being researched for the treatment of Alzheimers. Joan suffered from mixed dementia, so another reason why I think of her and daffodils at the same time. Here’s a link to the government article about the research. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/welsh-grown-daffodils-help-tackle-alzheimers
Here’s a recent update from the BBC : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-61081542
My selection of daffodils comes from Bulbs.co.uk also known for its Walkers Daffodil Collection which won 26 consecutive gold medals at Chelsea Flower Show and numerous Premier awards at Harrogate Spring Show over the decades. This is the mail order subsidiary of Taylors Bulbs established since 1919 and farming 150ha of daffodils. Over 3000 tonnes of bulbs pass through their yard each summer. They have just launched a new website with a more comprehensive collection. There are 435 different varieties of daffodils listed, as well as many other types of bulbs. Here’s the link:
I wrote about Joan, joining in with Cathy’s In a Vase on Monday meme for many years. The blog became almost a diary cataloguing what it’s been like having relatives in care homes during these pandemic years. There were many challenges. Here’s what I wrote in 2020.
https://bramblegarden.com/2020/12/07/in-a-vase-on-monday-virtual-flowers-for-joan/
https://bramblegarden.com/2020/09/21/in-a-vase-on-monday-flowers-for-joan/
https://bramblegarden.com/2018/09/30/sunflowers-for-joan/
https://bramblegarden.com/2021/08/17/in-a-vase-on-monday-flowers-for-the-care-home-at-last/
https://bramblegarden.com/2019/11/26/in-a-vase-on-monday-25th-november-2019/
Thank you for reading the blog. I’ll be posting flowers from my garden in memory of Joan on the IAVOM meme on a more regular basis now. Thank you for bearing with me. There have been very few write ups since Christmas as visiting Joan and looking after other family members has taken priority. I’m delighted to see about 100 of you read the blog every day, even when I don’t post anything new. It’s a comfort to see readers looking back through the archives.
Bramble Garden 
How fortunate for you to have been welcomed by such such a lady, and indeed she was also fortunate in having you as a daughter in law. Those are wonderful memories, and I send you and her whole family my condolences.
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Thank you Noelle. Thank you for your kind words. They are much appreciated. Karen x
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I am so sorry for your loss…those daffs certainly bring back happy memories. My garden always seemed to bring me closer to loved ones gone….wishing you peace.
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Thank you Donna. That’s very kind of you. My garden too brings me closer to family members who have passed away. I have a lilac tree grown from a cutting from my grandmother’s garden. My whole garden is full of wild violets from my grandfather’s garden. Such happy memories. Thanks again for reading my blog and getting in touch. Karen
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I’m sorry to hear of your loss but glad that you’re able to find joy in the memories you have of your beloved mother-in-law, Karen. Despite her illness, I’ve no doubt that Joan appreciated the beautiful flowers you shared with her.
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Thank you Kris. Thanks for your very kind words. I’ve only to look at the spring flowers and remember her and all the happy times we shared. Thanks again.karen
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How intriguing to read about the daffodils and research into Alzheimers – and how appropriate for your tribute to Joan and all she meant to you. Those happy memories will not fade, Karen. Love all the white daffodils in particular
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Thank you Cathy. I’m particularly fond of the white daffodils. I always associate white flowers with memorials too. Yes, interesting research. They are making a synthetic version now based on the substance from daffodils. I’m keeping tabs on it. Nature and plants hold so many answers in medicine. We just have to find them. Sadly it wasn’t fast enough to help Joan, but in the future, maybe new treatments will come along and help people suffering from dementia. We can only hope. Thanks again Cathy for your kind comments and support, which has always been appreciated xx
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Yes, a treatment for dementia could make such an impact…
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There’s a new update today from the bbc posted on the blog. Do hope the new treatment makes a difference. Too late for Joan, but for all the future sufferers of this awful illness, it will make a difference. Happy Saturday . Karen xx
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Will check it out 👍
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Oh I’m so sorry to read your sad news Karen. You were both so fortunate to find a soulmate and companion who shared each other’s love of flowers and nature and propped each other up in challenging times. She will be greatly missed by all your family. Sending you much love and hugs too. Take care of yourself – Anna xxx
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Thank you Anna. I was lucky beyond words. I’ve had a very happy life, thanks to all the supportive people in my circle, including my own parents and dearest Joan. She will never be forgotten. Thanks for reading and for your kind and supportive words. They are much appreciated. Karen xxx
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Uplifting variety of daffodils always great to see thank you
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Thank you. They really are fabulous aren’t they. I much prefer white daffodils to the yellow ones. Much more dainty. Thanks for reading and getting in touch. Karen
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Dear Karen, What a sweet and inspirational blog post. What wonderful memories you have. How lucky you were to have had her living so close to you to be able to walk to the village. Magic!
I’m so sorry to hear of you and your family’s loss. Even when expected the actual even is still a shock.
My father, who wouldn’t have flowers in the house, when asked what his favourite flower was would always reply Coreopsis. He had no idea what it was but it was obscure enough so people thought he was an erudite gardener. I now grow some in his honour. My mother wasn’t a gardener but was a rose fan..
Thanks for the link to bulbs UK. Now is the time to plan for next year.
Sending you commiserations and a gentle hug,
Suella
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Thank you Suella. I love coreopsis. A lovely plant to grow in your father’s memory. Thank you for your very kind words. Much appreciated. Karen x
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I did write but messed up my password. I don’t know if my comment posted. I hope it did.
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I’ve had the same problem with my password. Sorry, can’t see your original comment. Don’t worry. Hope you are having a sunny day where you are. Karen.
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So sorry to hear that Joan has passed away. I know how much she meant to you, but you do have many wonderful memories of her, and your garden will help you both grieve and remember. 🤗
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Thank you Cathy. So true. Xx
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Your post is a lovely tribute to your mother-in-law. She was obviously a special lady.
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Thank you Su. She did everything she could to make life easier and happier for me. Thank you for reading my blog and leaving a comment. Your kindness is much appreciated. K.
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Having happy memories of a loved one is a great salve for the times when they are missed. Amelia
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Thank you Amelia. So true. And the garden is proving to be a help as we all grieve. Thanks for reading and for your kind comments. Much appreciated. xx
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Karen, I’m sorry to read of your loss. I recall the many bouquets you faithfully brought Joan while she was in nursing care and how her memory was fading, so heartbreaking to see in a loved one. May she rest in peace and your sweet memories of many good years together sustain you. ❤
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Thank you Eliza. So true. And thank you for your very kind comments. They are much appreciated. K. xx
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