THIRST (2025/37)

The doorbell rang. Walking to the front door I noticed the large Peace Lily in our entryway was limp and lifeless. Just the other day she was shooting up her pure white flowers, contrasting beautifully against her large vibrant and verdant leaves. Now her leaves lay withering against the floor, her white blossoms drooping against them. The old me would have reprimanded myself for neglecting her and taken her out to the garbage.

The new me, which is getting rather old now, understands how cyclical life is. I lifted the poor plant to the countertop next to the kitchen sink. I emptied the dishes from the sink, wiped it clean with pure soap and water, and plugged the drain. Filling it a few inches with fresh tepid water, I set the withered plant in the sink, leaving it there until I could feel the soil moist at the top. Lifting it from the water, I let the extra liquid drain from the holes near the bottom of the planter. Once the extra water was drained out I set the plant on my kitchen table, surrounded by filtered sunlight, whispered a prayer, then set about the duties of the day.

3:35 pm

By the time the 10 pom news was over the plant looked like this. Full and vibrant and very much alive. Like it had been resurrected. 

10:35 pm

Here's what I learned from this today:

1. Some things, and some people, cannot or will not tell us when they are thirsty... literally or figuratively.

2. When I have put myself in the position of being a steward, its my job to check on it occasionally, if not with regularity.

3. When I mess up as a steward, its worth trying my best to repair the damage my neglect has done.

4. There are different ways to quench thirst. Most people water from the top. I've learned the best way to water most of my plants is to water from the bottom. Let them soak up the water into their roots. Trust the plant to do its part.

5. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Drain off the excess.

6. This peace lily didn't necessarily need dramatic measures. It needed water and light. Start with the basics when there's a crisis.

7. The crisis led me to research watering processes after following my instincts. I learned that bottom watering is good, but that I also need to top water once a month to release salt buildup on the surface.

I am not at all... and I mean not at ALL... a plant person. I have to have plants that can take neglect now and then. But I am really moved by how just a little attention can make such a difference.

Forgive me, Peace Lily. Thank you for your tolerance of my weaknesses.

Plants and people... pretty much the same.