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Patience

Have you ever waited for something for what seemed like years and then it just miraculously blossoms overnight? Today I'm going off paper crafting topic a bit to explain the excitement I had this morning when hubby called on his way to work to say that I had flowers out front! EEEK!



I planted these Asiatic lilies the first spring we moved into our house. Just so you don't have any ideas about me being a little Martha Stewart, I'm by no means a green thumb! But I did read the label and it sounded like the conditions were perfect around the tree in our front lawn so I went out and planted six little bulbs at equidistance around the tree. To my great disappointment the lilies didn't blossom the first year. The second year the first little sprouts got plucked by the landscaping crew in a spring clean up. The third year they survived the spring clean-up only to be plucked out by the landscapers when the tulips in the same bed died. This year I've shuddered every time the landscaping crew has arrived, hoping against hope that they would see fit to let my lilies be. I've been rooting for these underdogs. They're tenacious and they just keep gathering up strength and trying again each year. I've watched this year as the plants have grown taller than ever, then started sprouting little pods. Then the pods grew plumper and plumper, until today.... two little beautiful blossoms! And look at all those little pods - there's an abundance of lilies just ready to burst onto the scene!



Sometimes I feel like these tenacious little flowers. I keep getting up, poking my head out of the ground, almost blossoming, then WHAM! something comes by and whacks me upside the head. Then it's back to square one - starting over, growing a bit taller, believing that someday my blossoms will have their day in the sun. Well, for my lilies, that day is today, and I can only believe that my day will come soon, too. It might by 4 years from now, it might be tomorrow, but it will happen. I'm a fighter, a believer and a survivor!

14 comments

Maureen P said...

What a lovely story, Julee! It reminds me of when I was in a friend's garden this week and we saw that some pansies had started growing in a crack on her brick walkway. All the other pansies were in pots, but these ones had somehow gotten out and were thriving on the stone! (Bloom where you are planted!) It also brings to mind a quote I saw at a graduation I went to in June (a former grade 1 student invited me to his Grade 12 grad {heartfelt sniff}) "Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid of standing still." Chinese proverb. Have a wonderful day enjoying your bloom :)

Chris said...

Beautiful flowers! Great story and so true!

mudmaven said...

They are just gorgeous Julee! You hang in there and just keep trying to grow - it'll all come eventually - see the lilies made it! ~chris

Meredith said...

What a beautiful post! Thanks for sharing it.

Lisa said...

How beautiful!

If you cut them or handle them, be careful around Katie.... the pollen from many lily varieties is highly toxic to cats! Nothing like a quick trip to the vet with an overnight stay and stomach pumping to teach me THAT lesson! LOL!

Kerri said...

What a beautiful story! You truly are a wonderful writer!!!

Janine said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts - just what I need right now! Love the flowers too.

Beth aka BR-T said...

I so enjoyed your story and it holds dear to my heart! BR-T

Kay D said...

Woo hoo! Congrats on your fabulous flowers blooming. Don't feel bad, my DH "accidentally" pulled all mine up this spring in a bed cleaning frenzy. Lilies are SO my favorite flower (named my daughter Lily). They make such lovely stamps..... :)

Lorie said...

My goodness..those are beautiful! My day lilies took three years to bloom...just 'cuz they were stubborn I think...but now they are prolific and I love them!

Karrie Baker said...

You know, patience IS a virtue!! LOL Your lilies are beautiful!

NormaJ said...

Beautiful post Julee. And to all will come our day of blossoming.
You are just building the groundwork for that special day.
It will come.

Caryl P said...

Those are just beautiful and I love the story of their history. I have similar lillies that I bought because I kill most things. The first year we had them, my husband "pulled the weeds" thinking he was being helpful. He has since learned his lessons and I've enjoyed my blooming flowers!

Unknown said...

Patience...some days it's hard to come by, isn't it? Loved your post, and I read every single word. I can SO relate! Promise to keep poking your head up...okay? TFS! :-)