(This post was originally published April 19, 2014. I’m reposting it as a memorial to my mom, who passed away on August 21, 2019. My sister and I were honored to be at her bedside as she made her transition. It was a beautiful moment that I will never forget, as is this moment in time among the cherry blossoms.)

This spring has been a little chilly for us in New Jersey so our famed cherry blossoms still haven’t reached their peak bloom. But I visited Branch Brook Park in Newark anyway this morning after helping my mother run some errands. Branch Brook has the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the U. S. but today in some spots, the display was a bit anemic …

Some trees, though not in full bloom, were lovely nonetheless …

Yep, that’s my mom. She’s 87, which gives me a little hope for longevity.

Of course I had to throw in some random selfies …

My mom learned the word “selfie” while watching the recent Academy Awards, so she was happy to take some with me …

By the way, I just love the type of people who kindly offer to take pictures of you with your own camera. (Why do they do that, I can never be so bothered. Shame on me.)

Some out-of-townies asked us directions to the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, which was further than walking distance from where we were in the huge park at the time. I had to pass it on the way to driving my mom home, though, so I stopped to get a few shots for this post. It’s the fifth largest cathedral in the U.S.

©A. D. Joyce, 2014