by: Sr. Aileen Bankemper
I want to share a recent happening. . .I am an uneducated flower lover and caretaker. Occasionally I have good luck. Several years ago, I came in possession of a lovely orchid in full bloom. Once its blooms were gone, the plant continued to thrive adding many healthy leaves but no flower spike appeared. Then one day, after waiting almost 3 years, and seemingly out of nowhere a tiny spike appeared. I experienced delight over the slow but steady growth that followed. Though the spike was supported, the blossoming flowers’ weight pulled on the spike (or so I thought.) In an attempt to keep it balanced, I gently raised the spike to add support and, CRACK, the spike broke in two, and the spike with the beautiful falling blooms landed in my hands. It was such a shock! I wanted to remove the rest of the spike and forget the whole experience, but didn’t. It took longer than I care to admit to get over the loss. It took even longer to remember Benedict’s admonition to “never give up.”
I continued the usual care. Months passed, and then one day, seemingly out of nowhere a new flower spike on the original spike appeared and began new steady growth. And here it is.
Then there is something that I have known for a long time; it’s the little things in life that can make a difference and never giving up can have its rewards!