I lifted one of Norma’s LOs that I’ve kept in my Favorites folder on another site (and found here: www.acherryontop.com/gallery/user/37471374-njr007/366880-happy-little-moments).

The significance of the orchid bloom: Last year, I had the opportunity to move my mother very quickly out of the house into an Assisted Living community after months of arguing, tears, frustration, and struggles following my dad’s passing. Even after moving her, there were days of unending nerve-wracking calls, texts, and behaviors. I couldn’t even think about her house and pretty much left it as is for weeks - once in a blue moon, I threw water at their plants without thinking. When I finally got my thoughts together and things were better, I went to assess what I needed to do and was so sad to see their once much-loved plants pretty much just clinging to life. Two of them perked up with a little TLC. This orchid looked more like a stick in dirt. I am not familiar with orchid care at all; a friend said to look for the air roots (?!) Anyway. I watered the plant sparingly, gave it a home in my bathroom window, and thought I was nuts for trying to revive a stick. I was shocked to see a bud form then a bigger bud, then this flower blossoming big and strong. Kind of like my mom. She was so broken trying (demanding) to live on her own. And now, she’s back to making jokes, is appreciative of the people around her, healthier, and just all around stronger despite her age and memory issues.