Grieving the Loss: A Dying Plant Lives On

Ten years ago, I was gifted with an African violet by a friend whose office was closing. I cherished this violet for its unique, light lavender flowers. Last year, the violet developed root rot. I needed to discard it. Before I did, I clipped a healthy-looking leaf, dipped it in rooting powder, and placed it in a small pot. This year I noticed a few small leaves forming at the base of the leaf. This week, the plant rewarded me with a bloom and more fresh, healthy-looking leaves. 

Grief is like this. We lose the one who meant so much to us. The loss is severe, we mourn and cry, and drag on as if we are only half alive. And then, one day, we notice it. We are still lonely, we are still not sure how we can go on without our loved one, but we find a way to do one small thing that we had not done before. We nurture that new action and add other new accomplishments. And over time, we grow and bloom into a new life. 

As you look at the new violet, notice, please, that the old leaf still lives. It derives its life and health from the new growth. Just so, Lee still lives. Through my new commitment to life, his life extends beyond the grave. It is a new partnership.