A pansy for your thoughts!

Check it out, the picture that is!  It is a card!  I found it at the store the other day and decided immediately I needed to send it to my mom.  I knew she would love it as much as I do and I wanted to let her know that I am thinking of her.  I have been home in Houston for almost a month and spent the previous two months in New Hampshire with Mom.  I really miss her!

The card says that pansies always stand for thoughts.  I'd never heard that before so I turned to my old friend Google!  Did you know the name pansy comes from a French word 'pensee' which means thought.  It was named so because the flower resembles a human face and in August it leans forward as if the flower is deep in thought.  The original pansy is made up of the three colors purple, white, and yellow.  These colors are thought to symbolize memories, loving thoughts, and souvenirs.

I also found out that pansies are also considered flowers of remembrance and a symbol of togetherness and union.  I love this visual!  This is the perfect flower for mom and me and the rest of my family too!  Pansies are so appropriate for remembering those who have passed from our lives.  For us, that is Dad.

I sent Mom a package of pansy seeds and I have a package of the same seeds so that we can grow them together.  Somehow this makes me feel more connected to Mom.  I didn't know about the memory connection when I sent the seeds but now it makes me doubly glad I did!

Another name for the pansy is that of “herb trinity,” with its three colorful petals acting as symbols for the Holy Trinity.  And there is our Lenten connection!  In Psalms 86:17 it says "Show me a sign of your favor... because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me."  Forevermore, the pansy will be a source of comfort and remembrance for me!

PS:  I am going away for the weekend so no blogs for the next few days!