Skip to main content

A Bloom in February

I have a reputation as a killer of houseplants. Ask my neighbor who once (and only once) asked me to water hers. Ask my mother who regularly rescues mine from the brink each time she visits. I can grow a garden that yields a harvest, yet bring a plant indoors and it doesn't stand a chance.

There is one exception. A peace lily. A gift from a dear friend who, though the miles and years have separated us, has never felt any less a friend of the heart. On the occasion of Ben's birth, she brought me this plant. I can remember her on the front porch, handing me this plant, and thinking to myself that this plant was not long for this world once it was under my care. But I was wrong. It has traveled with us through many a move. Every now and then, it even blooms. It hasn't for the longest time though.

On Friday, we will celebrate Ben's birthday. He would have officially been a teenager. I try and imagine him that old but I can't. He will forever be my little Ben. I miss him all the time, yet I find the tears flow freer near his birthday. I have been sad and moody for days and just wishing to have him smile at me again. And then this morning, I happened to look at that peace lily and would you know it, it was blooming! Three white flowers to cheer my heart. I choose to believe that he sent me some flowers for his birthday.

See all those brown leaves? I noticed while I was taking this picture and gave the plant some much needed pruning this morning.


Labels:

Comments

  1. Jennie C.February 17, 2013 at 4:04 PM

    We think about Ben often here. Praying for you as his birthday nears, and... Happy birthday, little guy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. KarenFebruary 19, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    What a precious sign, from the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Ben lives because of the gift of eternal life. Many hugs to you, sweet mama. No matter how sweet the promises of God, we miss our boys relentlessly, and will till we see them again. Hope this wonderful gift helps you hang on with perseverance. Much love.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ElisaFebruary 20, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    ! Tear jerker. I truly believe he did send you those flowers for his birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JenniferFebruary 22, 2013 at 3:33 PM

    As someone who can speak openly about your lack of a "green thumb" (my poor plants), it is definitely Ben that is showing you he loves you, he is okay, and he is with you always. Sometimes it is things like that which make me think of my dad, knowing in his own way he is talking to me. I believe the same is true for Ben.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Being Thankful when Life throws you lemons

We are supposed to be camping right now. Two kids are camping, sort of. They are camped out on the couch with fevers. I am trying to stay positive (I am positive I am disappointed!) and count my blessings on this day before Thanksgiving. Thankful: - that my husband braved the grocery store so I could stay home and nurse sick little people. - for Advil, since fevers over 103 scare me. - for beautiful fall colors outside the window. - that we are not trying to care for sick kiddos in a camper far from the comforts of home. - that I got some pretty photos of the kids this weekend - for family and friends - for a roof over our heads, food for our bodies, and clothing for us all - for a God who loves me, even at my worst I pray for quick healing for my kids and all those who are sick on this day. I pray that all of you may have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day tomorrow.
Post a Comment
Read more

The Door Table

Once there was a store in Georgia. It is no more, but how I wish it was. I likened going in there to treasure hunting. One never knew what was going to be in there, and you had to dig through and wade through all the "other people's treasures" to find your own. I once found a set of blue and white teacups and saucers from England. I found lace handkerchiefs, a rocking chair, and an end table. But by far the best find was my kitchen table. I had stopped by one day while the kids were taking horseback lessons and the then little ones were asleep. The store was not open, but I went up to the window to see if anything new was there. And it was there. The table. And six chairs too! We were in need of a bigger table with Jack on the way. My mom had offered to give us her old one, which I was going to accept if I didn't find something I liked better. I didn't want anyone else to even see the table because I knew it was supposed to be ours, but one can never tell abo...
9 comments
Read more

Paris

With our backpacks repacked for the next leg of our adventure, I awoke in the wee hours of the morning to make sure we were ready. We walked from our house down to the train station, stopping at the bakery for breakfast. Tony was able to join us just for the day, but I am so glad he was with us for even a short time. Upon arriving, we navigated to our flat, waited for the owners and checked in. It was in a very old building, the wooden steps creaked and groaned under our feet as we climbed to the third floor. It was definitely a quaint flat, harkening back to a much earlier era. We then headed out to meet my sister and her family at the Louvre. We said goodbye to Tony and went to find dinner and strolled past the Eiffel Tower. Then back to the flat to get some sleep. Our second day started out a little rough. I could not get the wifi to work, nor would my phone work. I decided to shower and try to not stress. I went to plug in the hair dryer that was at the flat, only to discover...
Post a Comment
Read more