Missing Love

Summary

The author learns about the importance of love in their life through the process of nurturing a struggling houseplant back to health.

Abstract

The article "Missing Love" narrates the author's emotional journey as they care for a sickly houseplant, drawing parallels between the plant's revival and their own need for love. The author, moved by the quote from Laurell K Hamilton about unseen wounds, finds solace in the shared recovery with their plant. The turning point comes when the author's friend, Josie, insightfully connects the plant's recovery to the author's need for love, suggesting that both were lacking vital nourishment. As the plant regains its vigor, the author realizes the profound absence of love in their life, acknowledging the healing power of emotional connections.

Opinions

The author believes that emotional wounds can be as painful as physical ones, if not more.
There is an implied opinion that plants can have a therapeutic effect on humans, suggesting a symbiotic relationship.
The author's friend, Josie, opines that love is an essential component of well-being, akin to the care a plant needs to thrive.
The narrative suggests that the author was in denial or unaware of their emotional needs until the interaction with Josie and the revival of the houseplant brought this realization to light.

How a houseplant taught me what was missing in my life

Ashley Williams from Pexels

“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” — Laurell K Hamilton

A few years ago, I recall tears streaming down my face as I painstakingly trimmed the dying leaves from my ailing houseplant. Both of us were in bad shape, pale versions of our former selves.

Perhaps it was this bond forged in the depth of despair that enabled me to perceive my frondy friend’s sigh of relief as the dead weight came off one leaf at a time, culminating in an untidy pile at my feet.

“What am I missing?” I desperately wanted to know as I watched my houseplant begin to thrive once again.

Upon relating this to my friend Josie, her response came as a revelation to me:

“Love,” she said.

“Like your houseplant, you were missing love in your life.”

Thank you, Lucy Dan