Childhood Memories: Lilies of the Valley

 

So many memories from childhood still remain with us, tucked inside our hearts  and minds.

One memory is of picking lilies of the valley in the spring.

My late Aunt Gert would take a bunch of us kids and walk into a forest near her home. 

 We'd go on a lily of the valley hunt!

Tender stalks covered with little white flowers that looked like bells hid behind big, green leaves. 

We'd part the leaves and voila!, there they were, beautiful lilies of the valley.

Their fragrance defies description. It is delicate and light but intoxicating.

Consequently, when I found lilies of the valley recently, it was a delight to pick a tiny bunch of them.

They are placed inside a very pretty former salt shaker, without its top, of course.

 They sit on top of my bedroom dresser.  

Memories of my dear Aunt Gert, along with those lily of the valley forest excursions, are safe and sound inside my heart.