Blooms in Winter

Flowers in winter are a rare occurrence here in Maine. Real flowers in my kitchen that I managed to not kill since Mother's Day are a complete anomaly. My daughter gave me this planter full of beautiful pink and purple flowers in May as my Mother's Day gift. I have, with the help of my husband, kept the plant alive since then, cutting it back this fall and keeping it indoors this winter. Saturday night, we noticed this fresh bloom, and my sensitive Pisces heart felt such happiness. 

I've been an empty nester for a couple years now, and it's been a journey emotionally. It's harder when your kids are sad or upset or grieving and you can't be with them. It's a different kind of pain that I've grown to despise more than most anything else. This flower blooming in the middle of the coldest week of the year reminded me of my daughter's strength. It reminded me of my own strength, and how much I've grown and changed over the years. We all have. No one stays the same; it's part of the beauty of the journey of living. It's part of the sadness, too.

I'm so grateful for this flower and the beautiful lady who gave it to me. As I sent her a picture of this flower with all of the appropriate sappy emojis, I couldn't help but be reminded of my own mother. I gave her flowers when I was very young and every year that she could, she's sent me pictures of it blossoming. Life really does come full circle.

Ahh, with Pisces season approaching and the full moon right now, I'm a bit reflective, a bit nostalgic. It's good for the soul, I think...