Sunday, January 26, 2020

Learning, Growth, and Nature's Surprises



When I am feeling stressed and worried, I am more likely to make mistakes and forget things.  Okay, that might be lots of times, but it really shows up when I am feeling stressed.  Today is a good example of that.  My mother and sister are on their way back from Arizona.  They will be here tomorrow.  I have been working on getting Mom's place ready.

As I wrote in my last post, my mother has been ill and was hospitalized.  My wonderful sister flew to Arizona, and has been driving my mother back home.  Normally they take three days for these trips, but my mom tires easily, and they are taking five days this time.  Thus the worry and stress.

I have been working on getting Mom's place ready for winter living.  I put warm sheets on the bed, bought groceries, and shoveled the snow drifted patio for her little dog.  I was almost ready to leave today, when I decided to walk around the corner to get her mail.  I pulled the door shut and managed to lock myself out.  My purse, my car keys, my cell phone were all sitting on her kitchen island.  They were all safely locked inside, while I was locked out.  Her kind neighbor called for help, and about 45 minutes later someone came to let me in.

Lesson learned!  Never go anywhere without my cell phone, keys and ID!  I also learned that my mother's townhouses have really good security.

All of this definitely added to the stress, but since I can't undo it, I might as well laugh at myself. . . . before other people do.


Life does have it's little moments of beauty however.  A few days ago I noticed that my little snake plant cutting had finally sprouted a new leaf.  Back in April I helped with the Spring Festival at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.  We taught people how to plant a piece of leaf cut from a Snake Plant, sometimes called Mother-in-law's Tongue, in a newspaper pot.  The correct name is Sansevieria.



I remember one of the other volunteers said that it takes a really really long time to grow.  Well, it's been nine months, and I had pretty much given up hope that it was going to ever do anything.



And there it was!  Growing!  New life!  And right in the middle of a very stressful two weeks of my life.  New life!  New hope!  Second chances!  Never give up! And just from a small piece of leaf and a little bit of potting soil.

Mom and Jacci are staying with my aunt and uncle in Kansas tonight.  They will be home tomorrow.  Mom is doing better.  Jacci is awesome and I am so lucky to have her for my sister.  I will be so grateful to have them both back at home.

My Gratitude for Today

  • Second chances!  Mom is doing better.
  • My wonderful sister, who works hard, and makes things happen.
  • New chances to learn and grow.
  • Tenacity!
  • Plants.  They are life, beauty, mystery, and so much more.

1 comment:

  1. Do you know where the plant's names come from?

    Sometimes we want things to happen overnight, but life's greatest achievements come from small consistent steps, watering our plants everyday having faith that someday they will sprout.

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