When I was really, really young, my Grandma Rupiper gave me iris bulbs to plant behind our house.  I was so young that I don't even remember actually getting the bulbs. But what I do remember is seeing them peek out of the ground every spring.  I also knew that once those flowers started blooming, my birthday wasn't far away.  I was born in May and those flowers always seemed to bloom at the same time. 

When I got older, we moved and the iris bulbs were left behind.  It wasn't until years later, that I realized how much I came to love irises just because of the happy memories they bring.  Mom and Dad have some new bulbs that come up each spring at their house. I tell myself that once I get a house and yard of my own, I'll plant some purple and yellow irises...just like the ones I had on the farm.  Of all the nice presents Grandma gave me over the years, those birthday irises are ones I will never forget.