Camelias and Mrs. Capers
Hello friends.
As some of you know, I am from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. A lovely area of the country. When Donna and I bought our first home it was a tiny 900 square feet Accadian shotgun cottage. We lived there at least 11years and did so many things to improve this little house that was built in the late 40s early 50’s.
One side of this little tin roofed house was nestled up to the most beautiful 200 year old live Oak trees you have ever laid your eyes on. We made huge flower beds around them and filled them with so many shade loving plants that in no time it was a lush oasis. There was a hedgerow ( that’s Southern for a row of bushes) of 8 foot high Gardenias. The smell was absolutely intoxicating, there is really no way to describe it.
Now our street faced the the back of the houses across the street . During the time when the houses like ours were being built they were considered secondary to the houses in the front. I understood from the old timers that it used to just be a dirt road going back there to some shacks. The South is so friendly and we had an older couple living across the street. We did not see them much except coming and going from their garage, which was what we could see through the vegetation that would have been at the back of their property.
Well the property changed hands and a lovely older couple moved in and I began to notice a woman out there working in that yard. Now remember, all of this area was in the shade of these giant old Oak trees so the lighting was always dappled. I digress again. I really noticed this lady because of 2 things. She had the most beautiful snow white hair and she worked like no older person I had ever seen – we are talking 70 here.
Well, I walked over and introduced myself and told her that Donna and I were right across the street and would be glad to help her with anything she needed. We got to understand that her husband was in poor health and used a motorized scooter, but she was still spry and liked to work in the yard. Now as I am standing at her chain link fence, I am getting up close looks at some of the most gorgeous Camelia blossoms I had ever seen. I remarked “why Mrs Capers those Camelias are stunning.” She said that was why she was working so hard to clean out this neglected area of the back yard, because there were several varieties of Camelias that were there and they “needed tending”. You see Camelias were a favorite of hers because her Father had been instrumental in the cultivation of many of the now “named” varieties of these lovely flowers. I graciously accepted a huge bouquet and placed them all over my house and enjoyed them immensely.
As time went on we became friends with Mrs. Capers. Donna would mow the grass for her and I would work on the “tending” part of the yard. I learned so much from her and enjoyed every second of it. Now South Mississippi in July and August can take your breath away, but we pushed on. Sadly her husband passed away and I became even more connected to her, because she was alone as my mother had been for so many years after my father’s passing.
Well I found out that she and her husband had owned a small little motel in town in the 40’s when people lived in a motel room on a more permanent basis. They lived in and raised three sons in the bigger house that was on the property. Well after her husband passed she began to clear out a lot of the things that her husband liked to “keep around”. She said he always said he would find a use for that and well we were clearing it out. There was an old green house attached to the side of the garage that she wanted to fix up and use as a green house. It was full to the door with things that were left behind by the late Mr. Capers.
As we worked our way into the space I noticed an old furniture piece that was what they called a server, and even farther in an old dresser with a mirror. I love old furniture like that, so she could tell right away that I was anxious to get to them and have a closer look. They had been old pieces that people had left in “The Motel” YEARS ago and they were old as dirt then. He kept them and said that he would fix them up one day. I just fell in love with both of those old pieces and she said, “if you want them please get them out of my way.”. Honey I could not get them out of that old green house and across the street fast enough.
I finished working with her for the day and then went home to snoop out my treasures with more attention. Well they were in sad shape and I decided I would get out the Murphy’s oil soap and the hose and get rid of all that mold and mildew and see what I had. They are 2 of my prize possessions in this world and they are in my house now. They are clean but never refinished as I love them just as they are. I loved Mrs. Capers the same way and think of her many times a day when I see and use these pieces in my home.
The last note here is that I got so in love with all the Camelia varieties that Donna and I purchased at least 13 or 14 and planted them as a hedgerow in the front of our little shotgun house. Now I saw a few of the blooms on these foot high bushes and they were stunning, but we moved away to Pennsylvania and I have no idea what they look like today. I am not even sure whatever happened to Mrs. Capers. But the feelings and the memories of those times are as priceless as any I have.
Please know that everyday and everything you do has the ability to become a priceless memory in the heart of someone. Please love your fellow human beings. Love them just as they are and make beautiful memories together that will last a life time, even if the Camelias don’t.
I am a Light Worker using many forms of energy. I am a Reiki Master, Shaman, Master Herbalist, Clairaudient, Empath and card reader (of many forms) to mention a few. I would like to share my personal feelings, grasp and intention when using the word “Light Worker.” I feel that I am only the conduit of the Universal Great Spirit to use as a vessel to pass on the information; energy and healing to any of us that need the extra love and light.
Should you want to reach me?
