Like I was walking in a funeral dirge, I ceremoniously walked all my stick arrangements out to the trash this week. It was a sad; but, necessary day as I walked each arrangement out individually like they were grandmothers being seated at a wedding. My pace slow and steady, giving them each a nod at the thought of their bygone beauty. But, like the arrangements were flower girls, they started dispensing crisp and dry leaves on the hardwoods. I hoped The Salesman didn’t come through without his shoes on because the spines of the holly leaves are famously sharp. He hadn’t received an invitation to the funeral turned wedding.
For weddings and funerals, flowers seem to commemorate each occasion. And babies being born, yes, flowers for babies, too. When our children were born, our dear neighbor Jeanelle brought down the most beautiful pale pink miniature heirloom roses.
But what about all those days in-between?
It’s the in-between days of big events that we live most of our lives. In the routines and responsibilities of day-to-day living, I am known to clip a flower from outside or bring in *sticks* to enjoy. Not everyone knows that I’m on a treasure hunt for beauty. They don’t know that Philippians 4 has spurred me on to appreciate the beauty and creativity of God. Not everyone sees the umpteen flower pictures I post where I’ve slowed down to enjoy the flowers.
You cannot imagine the joy when I received the pictured bouquet Sunday evening from our neighbor and friend. They had not seen my post from the day before where I’d stopped to take a picture of, and enjoy, this very arrangement at our local market!
I am so thankful for friends, neighbors, and flowers, on the in-between days of life.