#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Hibiscus

My friend Lilia gave me this wonderful hibiscus plant that blooms just outside the door. The plant lived in a pot indoors, a sunny, warm spot, all year. For awhile it thrived. Eventually, the plant lost its green leaves and its stem dried. I was sure it had expired. Still, there was the tiniest single green leaf left on a stem when I put the pot outdoors in June, in the sun. I kept watering it. Nothing seemed to be happening; the little leaf wouldn’t die. A sign of life. And then, as the summer passed, as the plant was sunned and watered and rained on, it started to sprout some new leaves. And, well, you see the result. I found it this way when I returned home from Chappaquiddick. In full bloom, with many blooms. A stunner. Still in its pot, I will winter it indoors again. Grateful that I believed in its desire to live. Today I met with my Ukrainian friends online, including Lilia. We continue to meet in our small group once a month. We had a rich session. I also had a writing group tonight, which was rich. And lunch with a dear friend. And my morning swim. It was summery today. Summer lingers, and I am drinking it in, like the hibiscus.