Thursday, November 13, 2008

Eight Years and Still Growing


Growing Pains ~ interesting concept. Growth is inevitable, but not always easy. I looked in the scriptures and the people grew in strength and wisdom as well as in iniquity… kind of depended where their heart was.

I have a wonderful reminder of the constancy, hope and joy of growth on my kitchen table. Last Saturday was the eight anniversary of the passing of our sweet BJ from this life to the next. The tables at his funeral luncheon had little potted flowers on them and one of my dear friends, Kathy Thompson, took some home and planted them. Like me, Kathy doesn’t have much luck in growing plants, but these little flowers have continued to flourish. She calls them “BJ’s flowers.” They were planted in November and blossom each year in time for her to bring me a bouquet of them on November 8th. It’s a tradition I have cherished and appreciated.

Loving all kinds of flowers, but knowing only the names of a few, I had no idea the name of this flower. Last night we had our ANWA (writer's group) chapter meeting at my home and Ceil commented on the beautiful “Black-eyed Susans” I had on my table. Oh, wow, now I know… so this morning I looked them up on the Internet and sure enough, that is exactly what my little plant looks like.

Here’s the interesting part (and it’s pretty cool ~ just a reminder that Heavenly Father knows his children and does the most amazing things to show it) ~ these plants are supposed to bloom from June to August each year and yet BJ’s flowers bloom in November (of course, here in Arizona, November can still be rather warm). Then, the research nut that I am, I kept looking and you won’t believe what I found out about the ‘healing” properties of BJ’s flowers:

The Black-Eyed Susan helps to bring painful memories to light allowing inner healing to begin. In “flower essence therapy” this flower assists individuals in shedding deep burdens that are weighing them down emotionally.

Well, this is about all I can share right now as I have to leave for school soon ~ but I hope you can get the gist of all I wanted to share in how his plant continues to bloom each year and how a dear friend thought of doing that for us and what a sweet reminder it is of a very special young man who has changed our lives forever.

Have a blessed day!!

7 comments:

beckers said...

That is so sweet. I love black-eyed susan's and I had no idea about their healing properties!! We love you, Stephanie!

Unknown said...

I was thinking about you and flutes over the weekend and am glad to be your friend at special times. I am sure of the Lords many ways of comforting us to include special flowers, fragrances and friendships.

Sarah Albrecht said...

This is a beautiful reminder of the tender mercies of the Lord, Stephanie. You could post it on the Beacon of Light blog, too...? (:

larsen family said...

Stephanie,
I guess I am just now realizing you have a blog. I never knew B.J. and I am sure he is a very special boy as I feel all children that pass on are. Thanks for sharing your life and experiences with us. Seeing you truck on shows me that I can to. Heavenly Father does give us many tender mercies especailly when we have lost someone so specail to us.
Jen Larsn ( Kambers Mom)

Stephanie Abney said...

Thanks to those who have left comments (if you ever see this) ~ I haven't had a second to even take a picture of the flowers and 12 days later they still look great ~ hopefully after school I can do that ~

To Jen Larsen,
I'm so glad you stopped by. I think of you often and LOVE how you created a blog for Kamber ~ what a great idea. Hope to talk to you soon. Take care.

Blessings,
Stephanie

Anonymous said...

That is so cool! I didn't know that:) Kathy is such a sweet friend!

Alishia said...

How cool!! I can't wait to see them. Isn't that amazing?? Thanks for sharing this with us.