Lent Photo Challenge: Planted





Some of you will know 
we had a lot of deaths in our family in 2012.
Once the funerals were over
and birthdays and anniversaries began to roll around, 
We realised that if we marked them all,
We would be living in an almost constant state of remembrance.
With the range of emotions that would bring.

We decided instead that our remembrance 
Of parents and grandparents 
Would happen naturally. 

With a joke,
A smile 
Their favourite food 
A bottle of Irn Bru
A “What would Grandad have said?”
Laughter
And tears that spring unbidden.

Chris’s parents bought us a camellia 
when we moved from Accrington.
We planted it in a big tub
In the ground 
So that when we moved we could take it with us.

It lived there for 13 years.
When we moved to Harlow we bought 
A beautiful new pot.
Fresh soil.
And it bloomed for a few years.

Every year since they died,
I watched with nervous anticipation 
For the buds to appear.
And the beautiful blooms that touch my soul.

It’s definitely gone now.
It’s performed it’s final act 
and will blossom no more.

It’s sad in a way.
But it gave us a lot of pleasure in its lifetime.
It feels ok to let it go.
16 years feels like a good innings for plants.

Someday 
Not too far ahead
I think it will be time for a fresh plant.
To help us love.
Cherish.
Remember.

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