As a teacher, you are often gifted plants and flowers.
While I enjoy plants and flowers, I know that I don’t have a green thumb.
I often have a great deal of trepidation when I receive a beautiful plant because I know, in the end, I will probably not be the best plant mama.
A few years ago, I received a hanging plant. I brought it home and hoped that I would be able to get at least one leaf to flow over the edge of the pot.
Fast forward several months…I was overjoyed that it was actually doing really well. I couldn’t believe the leaves had actually grown down to the floor!
How had I suddenly become a plant guru?
Then, I discovered that Steve had secretly, been taking care of the plant. He always left for work before me and he was watering and tending to what had become “his” plant.
So, in actuality, I wasn’t responsible at all for the success of this plant. It had become Steve’s pet project and it was doing phenomenal.
Until, I stepped in.
As many of you know, the weather in Chicago is unpredictable. Sometimes, I am a bit impulsive. I was excited that the weather had finally begun to warm up!
I decided it was time for this plant to go outside and get some real sunlight.
At this point, I knew Steve had been tending to “his” plant but I thought I was doing a good deed. Putting it outside would only help, right?
OOPS! The weather changed and I kind of forgot about my plant friend.
Steve, however, did not forget. He went outside and brought the now dead plant indoors.
Needless to say, after all of his efforts to keep this plant alive, he was less than pleased. Let’s just say he had a few choice words for me and my less than green thumb.
But, he was determined to bring this plant back to life.
And it worked!
It took his time and patience (I was a little smarter this time and stayed the heck away for “his” plant.) but it was back to its beauty within months!
I was amazed at how this seemingly dead plant was brought back to life with attention and the right life sustaining elements (INDOOR sunlight and water)
When Steve passed away, I decided I couldn’t keep this plant because I knew if I killed it again, it would have an entirely different feeling.
I wouldn’t be able to giggle and say “I’m sorry” and have Steve bring it back to life.
So, I handed Steve’s plant off to my sister in law Jackie. Who, then, probably feeling it was too much weight and responsibility, handed it off to my mother in law.
I didn’t realize the plant had taken this trek. But this plant had obviously taken on a very important role in our family.
I went to my mother in law’s house several weeks ago for dinner.
As we ate, I noticed there was a GORGEOUS, healthy plant in the corner of her dining room. I immediately recognized it as “Steve’s plant”.
We talked a little about the history of the plant and I was encouraged to bring it back home
But, I knew I couldn’t do that because, again, this wasn’t just any plant, it was “Steve’s plant”.
It holds a special place in all of our hearts and it took a village to help this plant thrive.
So, Steve’s plant remains in my mother in law’s home and it has taught me a great deal about life…
- Sometimes, you have to hit rock bottom to come back as your best self.
- Don’t try to rush things. Make sure the time is right before you make a big change.
- In life, you might not always be the right person for the job and it’s okay to step back and hand over that responsibility.
- With the right surroundings, good people and healthy choices, you CAN and WILL thrive.
- Perhaps, most importantly, even when things look really dismal, insurmountable and overwhelming, don’t give up.
I have begun to look at life a little differently since Steve has passed away and I have learned that sometimes, it takes something as silly as a plant, to show you that although it might take a little bit of effort and the right village behind you, everything will be okay…
onedayatatime 