Saturday, March 17, 2018

Why My Orchid Blooms

Years ago a dear friend of mine named Kathy Richardson Jones gave me a little orchid as a gift.  It sat on the ledge of one of my sunny office windows at work for a few years, and then I brought it home where it sat with my other plants on my front porch in Charleston, SC until I retired and moved away.

Almost all that time it was green and lovely, but it never bloomed.  

Then my friend, Kathy, became very sick.  She went through all the chemotherapy and all the radiation and all the other medication and surgery and other treatments, but the doctors couldn't save her.  God called her home.

The next spring and every single spring thereafter, my little orchid has bloomed, and every time I look at it, I smile, because it reminds me of Kathy's sunny personality. If she were a flower, she would be that orchid.

Today my orchid sits in front of a large window in my den facing my backyard and the small forest beyond.  Right now it is blooming its little heart out.  A lovelier flower you will never see, so I thought I should share its story.  

I was only able to bring four of my plants with me when I moved from Charleston, two Christmas cacti that were cuttings from my Mama's beloved plant, my money tree, and my little orchid.  Those are the ones I treasure most, and I am glad they are happy here in their new home.