March 11, 2007

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.

6 comments:

  1. This is a great post Stefanie and that photo is fabulous. I love this story and how you are applying it to yourself. I am making those changes too and am really excited about it. In both examples these changes did NOT happen overnight! It is a gradual process. I'm finally in a place (mentally) that I'm allowing myself to progress slowly and not be fixated on immediate results. I feel great every time I go to the gym so the rest is just a bonus.

    Thanks for the great mail you sent me today!! I love them (of course).

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  2. wonderful post. i love that you took the time to write it and to connect back to why the plant is so important...hope your journey is going well...and on the off days when it is not, you know you have people to count on. what could be better than that?

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  3. stefanie, i loved this post today. thanks for putting it out there!

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  4. To my fellow Stefanie with an "f"- thanks for leaving a comment on my blog- I wanted to resond. I have enjoyed reading your blog and will visit your site more often- thanks for sharing your insights!

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  5. St. Patrick's Day is here, you see.
    We'll pick some shamrocks, one, two, three.
    We'll count the leaves and look them over,
    And maybe find a four-leafed clover.
    I'll sew green buttons on my vest,
    Green for St. Patrick is the best.
    I'll wear a green hat, very high,
    And dance a jig--at least I'll try!

    Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  6. Amen! Wonderful words of wisdom! Really great to read this. I love the story of your special plants!
    -ciao

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