Never Give Up

Last summer this plant was vibrant and full, overflowing out of the pot. It had a nice warm, sunny place on the patio. Here in Tennessee it usually is very late in the year before we have our first hard frost. Last fall, I left this guy... along with another beautiful plant, out too long.

When I brought this plant into the house, it was pitiful. The leaves had been frozen and were dark and wilted. My husband said... they are dead... just throw them out. But I was convinced that if I warmed them up, that I would be able to salvage something.

After I clipped off all of the dead, there was nothing left. Not a single green anything. Just dirt. I put them by a sunny window in the living room and continued to give them a little water and some Miracle Grow. The other plant came back to life about a month ago, but this one was holding out. Last week, I caught a glimpse of this new leaf coming up out of the soil.

I have begun to make changes in my life so that I can be the person I really want to be. I will have to apply the same hope and determination to my life as I did these plants. The work that I am doing now may not make any changes that are visible right now, but if I stick with it, one day they will be.

If you are wondering why I was so determined to bring these plants back to life, these were very thoughtful gifts from two of my dearest friends and sorority sisters. They sent these to my maternal grandmother's funeral in 2003. They are a living reminder that I have people in my life I can count on when life is hard.