Almost Eleven.....

I do not have a green thunb. I enjoy looking at gardens and each one of our eleven houses did boast some flowering plants to brighten the yards. But I wasn't very good at keeping things up and growing and often moved to lots of hostas to fill in spaces. They were very low maintenance!

So I was very happy to notice a little bloom on the plant in the corner of our living room yesterday. The plant is an iron plant (I think)....and it is really easy and forgiving.

This one sits between the sliding door to the deck and a side window so it does get some nice light. And I only have to water it maybe once every two weeks or so. (When we travel I have a neighbor who stops in and does that for me.) I've cut the plant back a few times, I trim dying leaves, I use a damp cloth to wipe off the leaves once in awhile and we did re-pot in fresh soil maybe two years ago. So I was very happy to see the unexpected little white bloom pop up on the side.

I brought this plant home from Park Ridge just after my mom's funeral. It was one of the plants bringing life to the space where we all gathered to say goodbye. So maybe that's why my one green plant means a lot to me....and the surprise of a bloom is almost like having my mom give me a little nudge to say hello.

My mom lived a busy and independent life for almost 89 years.....a life well lived. She married young and worked hard and raised two daughters. She was a motherly-mother and much loved by so many.

I think she'd be smiling to see "her" plant still doing so well in our condo.....thanks for the air hug mom....it means a lot!

Almost eleven years......my plant, my memories.....still fresh.