Well, that's just silly.

My Mom, who has Alzheimer's disease, lives with me. She used to be a schoolteacher, an educator and she had volunteered for so many community groups in her retirement. These days, her judgement is not what it used to be. It's a work in progress, or in decline, depending on your outlook. (As a believer, I'm sticking with progress!)

One day, Mom cut a closed Tiger Lily bud from the back garden and placed it in a glass of water on our kitchen window sill. For three days it sat there, completely shut tight.

I  felt bad for this bud and for Mom. I didn't think it would do anything, and now we'd have to watch it wilt another day or two before I'll quietly throw it away. Such a silly waste.

The following morning, I went to the kitchen to make coffee, and the bud had completely opened! It was the most beautiful burst of colors and sweetness I had seen so close up!

I'm not sure Mom knew it would do this- obviously I didn't! And yet here it was. Each day it grew wider, brighter and the petals became more brilliantly colored with orange, yellow and red hues. It was its' own work of ever-changing, interactive and beautiful art.

My little painting doesn't do it justice, but I hope it captures the moment. And its a reminder of the lesson to be learned. Sometimes "Silly" is actually "Clarity"! Always look twice, and then wait. - Anita

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