from the 3rd century B.C. Chinese sage known
as Chuang-tzu:

"Once upon a time, I dreamed I was a butterfly,
fluttering hither and thither. Suddenly I awakened,
and there I lay, myself again. Now I do not know
whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly,
or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man."

What a lovely memorial to your mother, and sweet memories and fragrances for you!

both my mother and paternal grandmother carried the name 'violet'. interesting neither were ever called by this name but used their second names. i have experienced this pattern many times...there is something almost reclusive about violets, perhaps?? ivy, rose and myrtle were family names, too, but these ladies, aunts, great aunts and second cousins, were known under these floral names.
rob...

I have strong floral memories of my grandmother( we lived in her house till she died when I was 9) and my mother. Lilacs,roses,poenies,bleeding hearts,lilies, flags, violets, forget-me-nots. Here I am,age 52, just getting into planting flowers. I think I'm trying to re-create my happy childhood.