Tilly loved hanging out under this peony bush in the backyard.

When I take a deep breath and close my eyes I can still hear her and even smell her warm pine shaving scented feathers. Tilly has now been gone for two weeks. I did a lot of crying for the first few days. The smallest most mundane things would seem to set me off followed by tears rolling down my cheeks. Yet as each day passes, it gets easier.

I wanted to take a moment to thank each and everyone of you for your kindness and love-filled comments. As I read each and everyone of them it makes me glad to be surrounded by so many wonderful people. I have taken so much comfort in knowing that I am not alone in the mourning of a hen. I’m not crazy because I loved her and I am a better person because of it.

The final lesson that I learned from Tilly is finding love in the unexpected. Surprisingly, when we open our hearts, let down our defenses, and allow ourselves to grow by learning from one another, we bloom.

This past week, the spring blooms have arrived. Tilly just missed them. Hanging out under the peonies was a favorite hideaway. The peonies, columbines, baptista, hostas and irises are all in full bloom. I have fond memories of Tilly meandering through the gardens and visiting me as I tended to the plantings and the soil. She was always such a curious henny girl.  It only seemed fitting that my garden should grow.

Yesterday, I planted a beautiful hydrangea right near where Autumn, Dolly, and Tilly are buried. The variety is called Ruby Slippers (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’). Somehow ruby slippers seemed to call to me, kinda Dorothy like. I like to think that my girls are somewhere over the rainbow.  In the future, the lovely oak leaf shaped leaves will be adorned with blooms that begin white, turn pink, and finally a deep shade of red. Most certainly, I can only imagine that if Tilly was still alive, this hydrangea might just be her new favorite hideaway. The blooms will continue.

Photo Credit: Tilly’s Nest