Ellen opened the window to her bedroom and looked out at the quiet suburban street. The sun was shining, and the scent of lavender filled her senses as a light breeze gently touched the lavender hedge along her garden path. This immediately lifted her spirits and a smile crossed her lips as she remembered the day she and her mother had planted the lavender 5 years earlier.
Ellen and her mother had always got on well. As long as she could remember they had never had one cross word to say to each other. As she closed her eyes and took in a long deep breath Ellen could picture her mothers smile, she could hear her laughter and see her beautiful face. There was always a sparkle in her stunning green eyes. "I miss you Mum, Happy Birthday" Ellen said aloud as she slowly opened her eyes. Once again a breeze caught the lavender and sent a fragrance so strong to Ellen that she wondered if her mother was watching over her and comforting her.
Ellen went downstairs to the kitchen and made herself a coffee. "Hello Toffee' she bent down to smooth her cat that was rubbing around her legs and purring loudly. "Do you want feeding sweetie" A little miaow offered the answer. Ellen poured some cat biscuits into the bowl and placed it on the floor. Toffee began eating, still purring as she done so.
Later that morning there was a knock at the door. Ellen was in the middle of washing the dishes, she dried her hands on a tea towel before opening the door. There was no one there. 'That is odd' she thought as she walked down the garden path to see if she could see anyone. There was not a soul in sight. Ellen turned to walk back down the path, something made her stop in her tracks; it was the scent of the lavender again. There was no breeze this time, yet she could smell it so powerfully. She had never known it to be so strong. Ellen bent down and gently rubbed her fingers between some of the lavender flowers, bringing her fingertips to her nose she inhaled deeply, taking in the beautiful scent. As she crouched there she looked up at the clear blue sky. 'I think I will take a walk in the park this afternoon' she thought. It is such a lovely day.
As she walked towards the front door she thought she saw her mother waiting there for her. Ellen closed her eyes and opened them again; her mother had gone. Today would have been her mothers 65th birthday. Cancer had taken her from Ellen 6 months ago and she missed her deeply. They would often walk in the park on a lovely day. They would chat about the flowers and the birds, they always loved the park. 'Yes, this afternoon I will take a walk in the park' Ellen thought to herself once more.
Ellen volunteered three days a week at the local hospice. They helped her mother to cope in her final days and Ellen wanted to give back to them all she could, as a small thank you. Today was one of her days off. She made the most of every spare moment she had since her mothers death. Not wanting to waste another second, Ellen went indoors to finished her chores before slipping on her sandals. She picked up her charm bracelet from the side and clipped it around her wrist. Her mother bought the bracelet as a gift for her twenty first birthday and every time she found a lovely little charm she would buy it for Ellen. She wore the bracelet everyday, she loved it and it made her feel that her mother was there with her.
Ellen closed the front door behind her as she left the house and headed for the park. On the way she caught sight of Clarrisa, her best friend. Clarissa gave a broad smile as she crossed the road to greet Ellen with a big bear hug as she always did. "I bet your going to the park" she said with her usual happy voice. "Yes, I am. It's mum's birthday today and I cannot stop thinking about her. Even the lavender is wishing her a Happy Birthday; the scent is so strong today. Do you want to join me?" Clarrisa said that she would love to, but had to do an afternoon shift for a colleague that could not get into work today. "I can come round tonight though, bottle of wine, girlie video and chocolate!" Ellen laughed "OK it's a deal. About 7 O'clock" Clarrisa gave her a kiss on the cheek as an agreement and walked off with her usual confidence and charm.
