My Mom was a military wife who made many friends along the way. She cherished her friendships and valued her friends. Years ago, one of her close friends lost her battle with cancer and left a hole in my Mom's heart. As is often the case, there were so many beautiful flowers at the funeral and her friend's husband sent a plant home with Mom. Mom may nurture friendships, but she's not as good with flowers and plants. Thankfully this was a pothos and could hold it's own. Because the plant was never watered, dusted or referred to without also speaking of her friend....this plant was important to my Mom. It became a matter of pride at how long she had had the plant and that it still lived although her friend no longer did. Arizona water is not the best and after time began to take it's toll on the wooden birdhouse planter the plant was in. Mom would occasionally mention how "she" needed to repot the plant...then a couple more years would go by. Recently, she saw a flower pot she just knew was what she wanted to repot her plant in and so this journey began.
With Mom watching on, I trimmed the plant back to put starts in water to root. Every day or so I would hear, "Are there any roots yet?" ...."Is there water on the cuttings?"....."Are there any roots yet?" Now remember this is the same Mom who recently sent a gopher to his reward with a broom.....but somehow taking care of the mundane tasks of rooting this plant were beyond her capabilities. This morning while she was gone to dialysis, I decided today was the day to repot Mom's plant. I gathered everything I would need and worked at our picnic table in the backyard. It was a glorious morning and as I completed this simple task for my Mom, I talked to her friend and told her what a wonderful friend she had been to my Mom. The job is done and I know my Mom will be thankful when she gets home.
I couldn't help but think when I looked at that sad, broken down, fallin' apart little birdhouse planter how, although weathered and worn, it had housed my Mom's memories for years. It was just a vessel and it's time was done, but the love and memories it held would live on....I hope when my time comes and God gives me a new vessel, He talks to me and tells me what a good friend I was.
With Mom watching on, I trimmed the plant back to put starts in water to root. Every day or so I would hear, "Are there any roots yet?" ...."Is there water on the cuttings?"....."Are there any roots yet?" Now remember this is the same Mom who recently sent a gopher to his reward with a broom.....but somehow taking care of the mundane tasks of rooting this plant were beyond her capabilities. This morning while she was gone to dialysis, I decided today was the day to repot Mom's plant. I gathered everything I would need and worked at our picnic table in the backyard. It was a glorious morning and as I completed this simple task for my Mom, I talked to her friend and told her what a wonderful friend she had been to my Mom. The job is done and I know my Mom will be thankful when she gets home.
I couldn't help but think when I looked at that sad, broken down, fallin' apart little birdhouse planter how, although weathered and worn, it had housed my Mom's memories for years. It was just a vessel and it's time was done, but the love and memories it held would live on....I hope when my time comes and God gives me a new vessel, He talks to me and tells me what a good friend I was.
2 comments:
Very nice, Nancy. I bet she'll be so happy and grateful when she sees it!
Ah, the good daughter :) You surely are earning your wings in heaven.
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