If you've followed me for a while, you know I don't do New Year's resolutions. This has been a year of fairly constant reflection, though, so I thought I'd share a few of those reflections as they relate to the amaryllis we've been growing for the past month, or so.
The sweet, thoughtful leader of my Nourish group (women's small group through church) gifted each of us an amaryllis bulb shortly before Thanksgiving this year. The intent was to keep each other posted on our plant's progress, while giving us an extra reason to stay connected during the holiday season - and it totally worked! What fun we've had seeing who's was tallest, which bloomed first, who's tipped over, etc. This has also been such a great activity/project for Jacob and I. He is excited each day to check it's progress, water as needed, and exclaim over the blooms once they opened. I, myself, have so enjoyed having fresh flowers in the house, and surprisingly, it's become the subject of several reflections as this year comes to an end:
-It started as a normal bulb, but produced blooms in wintertime.
I've never "forced" a bulb, but I followed the instructions and applied my green thumb as best I could. As one of Jacob's books says, plants need, "sun, soil, and water," so we made sure this one got plenty of each. The result was vibrant red blooms inside our home when there was snow on the ground outside. We do not usually get to experience this kind of growth, life, and beauty in the dead, brown winter months. Similarly, 2020 started as a "normal" year, but has since brought so many new and unusual circumstances. The result, as I see it, has been lots of extra reflection, personal growth, care for each other, quality time, etc.; all beautiful things that we may not have experienced (or rather, recognized) in a "normal" year - just like we may not appreciate each individual daffodil bloom in the springtime like we do an amaryllis bloom in the winter.
-While we were able to see the progress and growth each day, it seemed to take a long time for us to finally enjoy the fruits of our labor in its blooms.
As with parenting, the days are long, but the years are short. At the beginning of our "stay home" order, I had a hard time fathoming being home 24/7 with a toddler and not having our usual out-of-the-house activities to occupy so much of our time. Looking back, though, it really has made time go surprisingly fast (even before we added a newborn to the mix). We have made so many memories and been blessed by an abundance of time together over the course of the year. Though there were certainly hard days when I didn’t feel so positive about the extended time together, I realize how special and important it has been, on the whole.
-An amaryllis bulb is not the most attractive thing, nor is the soil in which it's planted. The blooms, on the other hand, are stunningly gorgeous.
As I've alluded to previously, and at the expense of making my husband roll his eyes at my cheesiness, I think surprising amounts and levels of beauty have grown out of the ugly, dirty parts of this year. I've already shared about ours (see my last post), but would sure love to hear about some of the beauty you have experienced in 2020.
-The blooms will not look the same each time the bulb is planted.
I've been told it's possible to store an amaryllis bulb and replant it year after year. I'm hoping to try this. If we’re successful, we’ll have more beautiful blooms next year, and while they may be equally beautiful, they will likely not look exactly like the ones this year. I recently heard a podcast host share the observation that Jesus did not look the same after He was resurrected - His friends didn't recognize Him. Similarly, our lives post-pandemic (or post-2020) will not look the same as before. For one thing, there will likely be tangible, logistical, practical changes mandated by others and/or by our own preferences. But also, if you're like me, you've probably gained some new perspective, experienced some personal growth, and/or been given opportunities to truly grow your faith. As a result, our lives have the potential to be equally beautiful as we move beyond this year (and Lord-willing, this pandemic), but they will most certainly be different.
Wishing you all the best as you navigate 2021 and beyond, dear friends!
Resolutely (haha),
Kensy
Favorites of the day:
teaching Jacob about Epiphany and watching him be excited to continue singing Christmas songs “till the wise men get here” (it’s yet to be seen whether or not he understands they’re not actually coming to our house...)
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| Not the best picture, but I love how he loves her. |
the fact that I started and completed this post in a 12-hr. window - it’s a New Year’s Eve miracle!
