Looking around my mother’s kitchen, she tells me with pride about the Amaryllis that her friend, Natalia gave her. My mom, in her words, “chopped” it after the blooms had died a few months after Christmas. Later, when Natalia, saw her gift with its buzz cut, my mom sensed that she was hurt.
After that, when Natalia came to my mom’s house, she would water and carefully tend to the plant. Fast-forward to Easter, the seemingly unflowered stump shot up into an enormous stalk and exploded with three vibrant blooms!
Easter indeed!
Today is Earth Day, a time to appreciate God’s amazing creation and make promises to protect our planet.
Seeing my mom’s plant miraculously return to life despite her chop job, I’m reminded of how, with care, the delicate balance of nature can be restored.
My mom’s tour of her plants also included an aloe plant that my next-door neighbor, Chris, gave her when he was in high school over twenty years ago. The middle sturdy plant located next to it, barely squeezing in the confines of its antique vase, was a gift from my grandmother’s sister, Nana, who passed in the 1980s. Then there was the beautiful orchid she received a few years ago from a friend in her women’s group at church.
These plants remind me of how we are all connected through nature. Maintaining and restoring the planet takes intention and tending like our human relationships.
How are you caring for creation today?
Elizabeth McBride is the director for intergenerational programs, digital engagement and editor of boldafe.org.