Salvage

I have a star magnolia in the border in front of my house, and it is just stunning each spring when it blooms.  Although it's hard for me to choose, it might actually be my favorite of all the early spring blooms in my garden.  

The flowers are lovely.  Delicate and graceful.  Creamy white, with just a hint of a pink blush.

Fragile . .  but tough.

I've been worried about my magnolia this year, though. Because its buds were just barely beginning to pop open when that nasty second-winter-worse-than-the-first-winter hit a few weeks ago.  

I was right to worry, because there was a lot of damage.  But, like the good, hardy bloomer that it is, my star magnolia hung in there!  Once the weather warmed and the sun came out last weekend, the buds - damaged from the freeze - just continued to open.

Right where they had left off -- before getting frozen-in-time by the freeze.

Damaged.  A bit funky looking.  But still doing their spring magnolia thing!

It got me thinking again . . . about us.  About people.  Because we're like that, too.  

We all carry our damage -- the imperfect bits and general wear-and-tear -- yet there we go!  Opening up and blooming our fool heads off.  Beautiful.

Salvage!

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Just a reminder:  Tomorrow is Poem-In-Your-Pocket day.  I'll be sharing a poem.  How about you?

 

Comments

[Bonny]

Beautiful, especially when they are fully open (just like people)!

[AsKatKnits]

That is a great analogy - and isn't it funny that the beauty that shines though the damage is almost always so stunning? Gorgeous flower - wow! And, I will be joining you for the Poem-In-Your-Pocket day - I have been reading some amazing poetry all month long - thanks to you!

[Carole]

That's a wonderful analogy and hitting me just right today.

[Debbie]

I needed to read this today. Yesterday I spent some time with a young guest at the Catholic Worker House where I volunteer. She's been staying at the house for two weeks, she is a high school student, has no family, has been homeless since her mother died, has no one to see she gets a good start in life. She came to us after being beaten by her boyfriend. Our hope is that she will stay with us and allow us to help her finish her education-she wants to go to community college in the fall-we would love to see her bloom!

[Patty]

I love this so much! And we're lucky that we can move beyond the damage and bloom again!

[Maggie]

I don't often comment, but your post reminded me of this quote: "Nothing in nature blooms all year, be patient with yourself"... I wish I could post the picture... words all spelt out with things from nature.

[margene]

This is so true and very true for many people in my life. I am fortunate to have friends who inspire me daily with their grace and their will to live, to go on and be the best people they can be, despite the pain and the hurt. We are resilient creatures.

[Cheryl S.]

Love!

[Linda]

I've never seen these flowers before! I love them!! Thank you for sharing with us...

Linda in VA

[Lora]

I took a picture of a plant with these flowers recently with the intention of asking what it was at my local nursery. Now I know!

[Vicki]

Beautiful!! And so true. Bloom on!

[Mary]

lovely. simply lovely,

[kmkat]

I was thinking the same parallel between damaged but still good blossoms and [ditto] people.