How Blossoming into a Plant Parent Grew New Perspectives on Love

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Abstract

nt full of plants do I understand my mother’s lasting passion.My obsession started small. I didn’t want to jump into things too fast - especially because I didn’t have the best track record (darn you, succulents)! However with my mom’s encouragement I found myself tending to five separate plants.Knowing that I was a beginner, my mom offered to help me out via FaceTime for the first month. We picked a watering date (Tuesdays), and each day of the week we’d water our plants together come 10AM.The first week I was bombarding her with questions:“How much water does this plant need? Do you think this is too much or too little? Really? You’re sure it doesn’t need more?”My mom would laugh along, and assure me that she’s learned a couple of things throughout her years.And sure enough, she was right.Days began to merge into weeks, and slowly but surely my plants began to grow larger and larg

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er. Baffled by their newfound leaves, I called my mom in excitement. I felt accomplished, and better yet I felt like I did something that could make my mother proud. A warm feeling ignited within my stomach. I felt an immense gratitude for the bond these plants created between mother and son.I now see love just as I see watering plants. Of course, the plants need water to survive, but too much water can be their demise. Love is an act of balance. Watering when necessary, and allowing one’s roots to strengthen in the meanwhile. Most importantly, knowing each plant’s preference so we can best promote it to thrive.The relationship between myself and my plants reminded me of my own relationship with my mother. We don’t need to talk every single day to know of the love that exists between us. In fact, distance can make those acts of love more meaningful. When we’re apart we’re growing, and when we finally catch up, our love flows together like water.</article></body>

How Blossoming into a Plant Parent Grew New Perspectives on Love

How much water is too much?

Growing up, my mother always had the green thumb.

I’d stand by the backyard door, watching her aim the hose towards the summer sky and the watering raining showers on the various leaves. I never quite understood the appeal of growing plants. I mean, why would I? I was more concerned about where my next bike ride would take me, and how I’d get the quarters I needed to buy a soda pop.

Never in my youth did I realize the intuitive beauty of gardening, yet now living in an apartment full of plants do I understand my mother’s lasting passion.

My obsession started small. I didn’t want to jump into things too fast - especially because I didn’t have the best track record (darn you, succulents)! However with my mom’s encouragement I found myself tending to five separate plants.

Knowing that I was a beginner, my mom offered to help me out via FaceTime for the first month. We picked a watering date (Tuesdays), and each day of the week we’d water our plants together come 10AM.

The first week I was bombarding her with questions:

“How much water does this plant need? Do you think this is too much or too little? Really? You’re sure it doesn’t need more?”

My mom would laugh along, and assure me that she’s learned a couple of things throughout her years.

And sure enough, she was right.

Days began to merge into weeks, and slowly but surely my plants began to grow larger and larger. Baffled by their newfound leaves, I called my mom in excitement. I felt accomplished, and better yet I felt like I did something that could make my mother proud. A warm feeling ignited within my stomach. I felt an immense gratitude for the bond these plants created between mother and son.

I now see love just as I see watering plants. Of course, the plants need water to survive, but too much water can be their demise. Love is an act of balance. Watering when necessary, and allowing one’s roots to strengthen in the meanwhile. Most importantly, knowing each plant’s preference so we can best promote it to thrive.

The relationship between myself and my plants reminded me of my own relationship with my mother. We don’t need to talk every single day to know of the love that exists between us. In fact, distance can make those acts of love more meaningful. When we’re apart we’re growing, and when we finally catch up, our love flows together like water.