May 28 - Day 63 - ‘Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.’ Spurgeon

Forget-me-nots are another one of those plants that make you smile, not least because of its name. I passed several clumps on the way to work this morning but couldn’t find a safe place to stop. I vaguely remembered that there were some in the church grounds at St Oswald’s Church on Abbeydale Road, which is the last parish my Dad was at before he retired. I pulled into the grounds, saw several clumps and managed to get a couple of pictures. Like many things, this seemed even more significant because May 28th last year was the day of my Mum’s funeral.

Its proper name, the Greek word, ‘Myosotis’ means ‘mouse’s ear’ linked to the shape of the petals. Lots of countries have their own stories and legends associated with the flower, as it often represents true love and/or remembrance. Germany is thought to be the source of its common name with a story about two lovers walking along the Danube Rover. The man picks the blue flowers and gives them to the woman but the couple fall in the river and are swept away. He tells her not to forget him and the flowers are worn in her hair until she dies. Other tales relate to the creation story and/or Jesus and Mary, with the colour representing the colour of Mary’s eyes, with her watching over you in the garden. Like the bluebell, they are also poisonous (so please don’t try any potions) and there are over 200 species with lots of variations.

If you have read the latest e-newsletter from St Wilfrid’s Centre, you will understand why I know my Mum will not be forgotten by lots of people in Sheffield and beyond. Tomorrow is the anniversary of my interview here at the Centre which, despite the timing, I always knew that my Mum would have wanted me to attend. It’s important to me that I demonstrate her principles and practices in everything I do and working here makes that possible.

So - try not to miss the clumps of forget-me-nots with their pretty blue flowers. If you get a chance, just take a few seconds to look at them and think about those you love and those you have lost but als0 - think about those who ask in society not to be forgotten or too often are - the vulnerable, the lonely, the isolated, the poor and those who are invisible to people when they pass them by. Thanks to your support and generous donations, St Wilfrid’s Centre is determined to forget them not.

A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. Charles Spurgeon