Green Thumb...Who Me!?

For years my grandmother would give me planters and instructions on how to keep them alive. I would be grateful for my gift and I would take it home. Once home I would forget about the plant and it would dry up and fall apart. If my grandmother asked me about the plant I would tell her that I did not know what was wrong with it. I knew what was wrong with it. The universe knew what was wrong with it. It needed WATER and someone to care for it.

Grannie loved her grandchildren, plants, flowers, cooking and quilts. I remember that. She was always talking about one or the other. Sometimes she would talk about them all. Grannie passed in 2004. What a blow that was for my entire family. It was February and it was cold. We buried my grandmother on Valentine's Day. It is clear like it was only minutes ago. That evening I went to visit my parents and as I was leaving I noticed a planter on the porch. I asked my mother where did it come from and why was it sitting outside. For that was a lasting memory of that somber day.

I went home with the planter and I vowed to take care of it just like Grannie would have. Now mind you I knew nothing about plants. My son's father taught me how to care for the plant and eventually we had to split and place them in different pots. I was on the road to figuring this whole plant thing out. That particular plant has been split more times that I can remember. The philadendria is several feet long and sometimes I stare at it in amazement.

Well today I have over 15 plants in my home. I have learned to keep them watered, to tell when they need water, and even my younger son will help in keeping the plants, and the floor, watered.

This Christmas I went to visit my aunts, Grannie's daughters. And no sooner than I entered the living room my aunt informed that I have a plant to take home. The one in the pic. When I saw it I knew that my grandmother was smiling down on me because I had finally figured out what my grandmother was always trying to instill in me. You can do anything you want, if it is something you really want to do.

I wanted my grandmother to live on in my home and in my heart. I have proof all over my home.

Thank you Grannie.