Let me start by telling everyone that I truly do not have a green thumb. Try as I may, I can kill a plant in no time. I will either forget to water it (because I have it tucked away in some corner) or overwater because I'm afraid the plant is too dry. So I do not keep house plants by my own choice.
The only plants in our house are from the boys. The plants were given in rememberance by well meaning people. After Cooper, we had so many plants it was plain ridiculous. I had to send family members home with multiple plants just to make it manageable at our house. Then we received more plants after Brayden. I understand that people mean well but we already had a ton.
So, since I do not have a green thumb the plants gave dies off little by little. I haven't had to deal with this since having Riley though - apparently the plants have decided to become resilient! I guess they realize I'm busy now.
As we are bringing out our christmas decorations now, I am faced with cleaning up a bit. I have left a plant vase with dead vines in it out for probably a year now. My excuse is that I was going to plant another orchid in it. The real reason it's sat there for so long - it' was for Brayden.
I took it outside and set it on top of the trashcan. I still couldn't throw it away, but I think DH did. We don't need it for anything, but I was still holding on. Even the though that the vase with the dead vine is gone now brings tears to my eyes. Guess it still is all the little things.
7 comments:
Oh my gosh Windy, I could have written this post. I kill all plants. Someone gave me a butterfly plant after Ella died. I was just waiting for it to die, knowing I'd feel so guilty that I couldn't even take care of a plant. It died. It's been sitting on my porch for months. I can't bare to throw it away. Now, I'm watching a house plant (also given after Ella died) die off bit by bit. Every week I have to pluck leaves out. It's next. Wish I had the green thumb.
Girl, I know what you mean. I had so many plants after Kate died and little by little they have died off...I either forget to water them or overwater them...I have 2 left and I try my hardest to keep them alive. We also received lots of flowers and as they would die I would lay them out in my dining room because I did not want to part with them - then a friend came over and we put all the petals in vases - I have 4 (maybe 5) vases of petals in my house from all the flowers.
We received two plants: One when she was born and one when she died. I kept them alive (a miracle) but then I didn't know what to do with them when we moved. It was heartbreaking to leave them.
When I read your blog I'm so happy to know that it's possible to be happy again but also it reminds me that the pain I feel is going to be with me for the rest of my life. One day, Sister, one day it's all going to be okay...oh how I long for heaven!
I have a black thumb too, which sucks since my mom is a horticulturist.
It is the small things. I remember my heart breaking when the plants people sent after the kids passed away died. It was like a second death.
Honestly? I kept the bottle of prescription strength ibuprofen after Ben died - for 5 years.
I still have 2 plants that are alive, almost 6 years later - but if I don't re-pot them soon, they're goners. Plus my cats keep knocking them over.
The only plants I have in the house are ones that were given to us after the boiys died. I have three of them and I'm proud of keeping them alive as long as I have. Dare I say they are actally looking pretty good!
I think because it was living and they are in some way related to my boys I have made it my mission to keeping it alive.
Tips on watering: Water fully and completely in the sink if possible. Let the water rise to the top then let it drain til NO water is dripping from the bottom.
Put them back in the corner, the window sill where ever until they are complety dry again. I water mine about every 2 weeks.
If you need to save something from the plant, then press a leaf or a flower and add it to their scrap book or memory box. Or keep the base and reuse it for something else.
I can imagine that was tough. I definitely did not take care of all the plants we got after Gregory, but still felt guilty when they all died. I understand your need to hang on to those little things.
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