Meet Norma

Salutations Assorted Blog Readers,

Today I would like to introduce you to my plant, Norma.  She is a Peace Lily.

Norma made the trip south with me.  She was given to me as a parting gift when my position of 12 years came to a somewhat abrupt end.  Before Norma, I rescued a similar plant from a colleague that was badly in need of some TLC.  Actually more like CPR.  That plant I called Norman.  I'm sorry to say that my efforts to revive Norman did not work.  And yesterday after being very dry and cooking in the hot August sun, I thought Norma was going to meet a similar fate.

While Norma was in a limp state, I decided to cut away some of the leaves were dying anyway and turning brown and black.  Underneath the dead leaves I found that there were new leaves waiting for their day in the sun and a chance to flourish.  This reminded me of another one of my metaphors that I came up with last summer when I planted and cared for the flower boxes on my mom's deck.

Caring for a plant is a metaphor of life.  If we take the time to sort through and cut away the old stuff on the surface, chances are there is something new and fresh underneath just waiting for its turn to thrive.  If the old stuff is not removed,  it will live on but not to its true potential.  When we have the courage and perseverance to find out what is waiting for the chance to bloom, the possibilities are endless.

I am happy to say that the above picture was taken this morning and Norma has sprung back to life.  Thankfully she did not meet the same fate as Norman.  And with the growth underneath given a chance to come through, I noticed there is a new blossom.  Perfect.

Until next time...
Peace Lily & Love,
Hope