The Flower That Endured

A personal story about perseverance and strength

When I was 9 years old, I was on my way to my grandparents’ home after school. It was springtime, and the yards of most houses on my route had beautiful flowers. Over a wall, there was a small bush full of beautiful purple flowers, just like the one in the image above.

Without thinking much about it, I cut one flower to bring to my grandparents. I felt particularly happy that day. My grandmother liked the flower a lot, and gave me a kiss. My grandfather found an empty flower pot, added some soil, and planted the flower in there.

After a few hours, my mother came to pick me up. Grandma showed her the flower and I was smiling. I was feeling very proud. Everything changed in an instant.

My mother slapped me and started shouting at me, calling me “stupid” and “thief” among other things. I don’t remember much else. Grandpa was shaking his head and gestured me to sit next to him.

Apparently, my mother believed I was stupid because the flower would never grow. So, I was stupid because not only did I not cut a flower with a longer stem, but because I also believed that the flower wouldn’t die in the flower pot. I was also a thief, because I cut a flower from someone else’s house without permission.

She made me go back with her to that house, and tell the owner what I’ve done. I remember the lady laughed and told me it was okay. All my good mood was gone for that day though, and for many days after that.

I was watching the flower pot every day. Until, one day, I saw something green trying to make its way out of the soil! It was true! The flower was alive and well, after all!

The purple flower not only endured, but the next year there were little purple flowers in the adjacent flower pots. It was now taking over!

Grandma decided to name the flower after me. Now there are still many flowerpots in my grandparents’ yard, full of beautiful purple flowers. And all of them are named after me!

I have been wanting to have a tattoo done of this flower. I decided to post the flower’s story after reading Jenny Lane’s story about her tattoos.

The design of the tattoo will include the flower, the colors of the Pride flag like a rainbow, and somewhere hidden in there will be two small cat paw prints. One paw print to be slightly smaller than the other, for my little friends who left too soon, but still filled my life with joy and helped me through the most difficult times. I will leave it up to the tattoo artist to combine all the elements together in a way that will make sense visually.

Given that all my existing tattoos have a more obscure meaning, this will be the first tattoo in color that will clearly have elements from something personal from my life.

All of my tattoos have special meanings. I want this tattoo to symbolize perseverance, strength, and courage in the face of adversities.

Just like the little flower managed to endure against all odds, little B. managed to do that too.