Mother’s Day 2022
Sadly, I didn’t get to spend Mother’s Day with my mom because she was down with a bug, however, I did get to spend the day with my girls which was a first in a very long time! I’m finding as they get older, and we are nearing the move from home to college and Andy and I transitioning from Denver to the Western Slope that I long for more time with them and I value the time I do get to spend with them even more! This feels strange as I’ve always looked forward to them growing up and becoming independent women, I suppose this is part of letting go and comes with the territory of change.
In any case, we got to spend time together, the three of us at the Denver Botanic Gardens on Mother’s Day. Our tickets were late in the day, so we didn’t get there until 5:00 pm on Sunday.
As it is still early May and the weather has been a bit chilly thus far, not a whole lot was in bloom. We did however catch sight of some spring flowers as we meandered through the gardens.
Per Bella’s request we headed toward the herb gardens first and on the way caught sight of a large Daly Chihuly glass sculpture. I’ve seen his work in museums but never outside and this particular piece reminded me of the spiky flower I know as the Red-Hot Poker.
As expected, the herbs weren’t quite up yet so we wandered out of that area and came across a hill side filled with Lilac bushes that had a path through the middle, it smelled glorious! After that we continued down another path that led to the most amazing Victorian Solarium! The sign explained its history: In the late 1990’s, Euro Disney, S.C.A commissioned the solarium and seven others, then canceled the order for unknown reasons. It sat for 20 years in its packing crate before it was donated to the Gardens in 2012. Sadly, I wasn’t able to get a good picture of it. It is a wrought-iron Victorian style structure, with tempered class windows and elaborate scrollwork throughout its frame. It was painted a peacock green color. It would make for the most amazing artist studio!
From there we found our way to the Japanese Garden and the Koi fishpond. I love water features in a garden and the Denver Botanic Gardens have several fountains and ponds strategically placed throughout the gardens.
As we circled back toward the buildings that housed the interior gardens, we came across more wildlife including ducks waddling about and a bunny enjoying a bit of greens as people passed by. The rabbit was totally unphased by the crowds and didn’t even startle as energetic children approached his dining space.
The interior green house was filled with tropical plants from distant rain forests with leaves that were huge and towered high above our heads.
One of my favorite sections just past the forest was another tropical area filled with orchids! It was amazing seeing them displayed in their natural habitat even if it was man made. These beautiful flowers bloomed along yet another water feature, this one created to look like a waterfall and stream flowing around rocky crags with moss and orchid varieties of all kinds.
It was truly a lovely evening with the girls. As busy as our lives seem to be these days, it is moments like these that remind me how important it is to slow down and enjoy the time I have with them. I am one lucky mom to have such wonderful daughters!
To all the moms out there, I hope your Mother’s Day with your children, both human and fur babies was as joyful as mine was with my girls.
Happy Mother’s Day 2022!
