The Happy Flower

Once in a while, the thought behind something can bring as much, if not more, happiness as the item itself. This morning early..very early..earlier than usual, I was out and about the hill. I had been awakened not by the usual birds calling me for their breakfast but by the sounds of sirens. Not hearing this often here on the Bayou, I pondered just what was occurring that required sirens to be blaring at the crack of dawn. Once I stepped outside, I breathed a sigh of relief as I realized the strong east wind was blowing the sound from far away. Nothing to worry about here on the peaceful Bayou. Since I was already up, awake and ready to face the day, I started my hike around the Bayou. As I stepped off the first terrace leading out of the rose garden, I noticed a beautiful flower. Ahhh..a camellia! A Purple Dawn Camellia to be exact! I smiled!

This particular Purple Dawn Camellia was on a small bush that I had dug up from the old homeplace of my Uncle Alfred and Aunt Marie. I potted and tended this bush with loving care as it was for their youngest daughter, Margaret. Margie and I grew up more like sisters than cousins. We were so close in age that we shared many likes and dislikes. Recently, she told me that she really wished she had a Purple Dawn Camellia from her childhood home. It seems that this was her mother's favorite. Aha! Mark and I climbed through the briers to find what was deemed to be a Purple Dawn among the many camellias on the place. After digging, potting and tending, I finally had a perfect gift for my cousin! Today, it bloomed showing it was doing well and would be ready to make the trip to her home in Atlanta! I smiled!

Aunt Marie would be proud! She was always one that hated to see anything go to waste and to let those beautiful camellias go the wayside seemed to be just that..a waste. The new owners of the property are ill and cannot care for the place. It seems sad. When I asked them if I could perhaps have a small camellia from the property, they readily agreed. The lady said it would make her happy to know that at least one of the plants would be cared for properly. Then, she smiled.

I am quite sure that when Margie finally is able to bring her Purple Dawn home with her..she, too, will smile. This one small bush has already provided many, many reasons for folks to smile but it has the promise to carry on this happy task. Early this morning, I am also sure that up in Heaven....Aunt Marie also smiled.