It is quite easy to “take time to smell the roses” while you convalesce, in fact, it is perhaps the easiest thing to do. Each sweet bouquet that arrived on my doorstep brought more and more easy joy, gracing our home for more days than you might imagine, with stems of pink and yellow and red, all the colors not seen out our windows during this monochromatic season. Of course, with each flower came healing, their power born of beauty and grace, love and hope.

Luther Burbank, the American botanist, aptly wrote, “Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.” I could not agree more. As morning sunlight filtered into our living room, brightening each leaf and petal, I found myself in smile more often than not. With happiness comes healing too.

Terri Guillemets who has collected quotes since she was a teen is credited for this one: “A flower’s appeal is in its contradictions — so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect.” In each bouquet we received, were a myriad of flowers I could not name, yet each scent filled our home with the sweetness of early summer, opening into magnificent blossoms on the daily.

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change.” One not need be the Buddha to note this, but a pink tulip slowly opening right in front of my eyes, certainly confirms this noble truth. Indeed, life changes for the better with each bloom.

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” Audrey Hepburn’s simply observation is a perfect reminder to force bulbs during the winter months, knowing full well that along with Spring, you are on your way to a better day. Cheers to tomorrow, when all of one’s living and strength and health will return.

A warm thank you to all who brought flowers and plants into my home, xxoo