“Where flowers bloom so does hope." - Lady Bird Johnson

I've learned the reverse is true too. 

Whenever I go to a garden center, I check out the clearance racks. Often I take home a plant. Or two. Or more.

I began this practice after I saw a woman loading many of the dried and droopy clearance plants into her cart and I heard her talking to them about going to a new home and thriving.

"I give them lots of water, love, and attention," she explained to me. "That's all it takes. I start by talking to them on our way home. Well, actually right here."

I gave it a try right then.  And I've repeated it again and again.

Flowers blooming stirs hope. By the same token, having hope - and faith - in a plant, a person, a project - anything - seems to give it strength and encouragement to "bloom."

Let's allow ourselves to experience both sides as we become more hopeful whenever we see beauty and by spreading hope just by being hopeful.

With love, faith, and joy,
Charlene

THE FIFTH GIFT IS HOPE. 
Through each passage and season,
may you trust the goodness of life.  
from The Twelve Gifts of Birth
Celebrating 20 Years