How have you been enjoying the summer months? It sure has been hot for most of the country with a lot of states seeing record temperatures extending into the hundreds. I was blessed to have my sister come and visit me in New York last month and it was in the triple digits every day she was here! As I showed her the wonderful sites of the city we literally were carrying around wash cloths in our purses to mop our sweaty foreheads.
Even through the sweltering heat, we laughed, smiled and talked for hours. It was the first time we met face to face. We both share the same father but have different moms and just learned about each other last year. I’m sure some of you remember me writing about her before, but having a sister finally feels real now that we have actually met and spent some time together.
So upon reflection of the lovely gift of true sisterhood that God has given me, I want to focus on the beauty of the amaryllis flower. Consisting of two species and blooming into an array of different sizes, the amaryllis runs the range of many colors from red, pink, orange and white. Most notably, the red and white varieties are used in a lot of holiday arrangements and often given as gifts for Christmas.
Thinking about how I went my whole life without knowing my sister makes me ponder about the complex mysteries of our very existences. Try as we might to plan every moment of our lives, some things just happen anyway with or without our input. That can be a very scary notion as sometimes bad events befall us, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, glorious things can take place as well. Such as meeting a sister you never knew you had or realizing a life-long dream.
When we think about flowers and nature our human minds usually gravitate to how seeds or bulbs are planted and then we fast forward to the finished product. The plant, the flower, the vegetable or the tree. We don’t stop to wonder about the inner life of these things or how their colors and shapes come to be. It just is. We accept it. A tomato is round, red, orange and green and an egg is shaped like an oval and white or brown. Why then can’t we accept each other for who we are or better yet, why can’t we accept ourselves?
Starting this month I’m challenging you to see your friends, family, strangers and yourself as you see the amaryllis flower. As gifts and precious parts of nature that God created for us to enjoy and nurture. When we treat each other like flowers, we all come out smelling like a rose.
Happy August!
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What a wonderful thought!!! Family is everything, I am blessed with 5 great brothers and four fantastic sister in laws plus nieces and nephews. Hey were italian lol!! The flowers look great really love the red ones. Nice to see you posting again
http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/08/photographs-for-magnificent-monday.html
Thanks Jim! It sounds like you are already seeing people as flowers! Your family sounds lovely! It’s so good to be back. I needed a break, but it was hard to stay away for so long. Cheers!
You are one beautiful soul Tameka 🙂 I just love the way you shared your sister to us. I felt the love there beyond words.
I read what amaryllis meant, and I was surprised it had plenty — I’m not familiar with the flower —
it symbolizes pride, determination and radiant beauty…
I picked up some beautiful lines on your post,”Try as we might to plan every moment of our lives, some things just happen anyway with or without our input. That can be a very scary notion as sometimes bad events befall us, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, glorious things can take place as well.” — so true…but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan anymore…
I guess, it’s just allowing space for changes to take place and maintaining peace in all the events in our lives… hmmm…. God’s still working on my flexibility, He’s been giving me surprises everyday…geez…
Thank you for sharing bella. It’s a good reflection for the month of August 🙂
Melissa, dear writer, thanks so much! I’m glad that you were touched by this post. God is still working on me too! Without his grace I could not come to these loving conclusions each month. I used to be horrible at “allowing space for change.” I am getting much better at it. It’s all a process. Cheers and hugs!
Truly one of the most beautiful of flowering bulbs! Totally agree with your last sentences.
It certainly is Jim! Thanks so much for stopping by. I look forward to reading your blog as well. 🙂
Beautiful… *wiping away the tears* (yes I am a mushy cry baby today) I have a younger sister and I know we don’t spend as nearly as much time as we should with each other. So wonderful you that you and your sister took the time to share with one another.
Loved the flowers, the red on is my favorite thou..
Awww Debbie! That’s okay! I am a mushy cry-baby every day. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone! I’m glad these words resonated with you. When we strip away everything else all we have is each other. Blessings to you and your sister. I hope you guys get to spend some time together really soon! Cheers!
Oh how I love to read your posts. So deeply provoking you are and so sensitive. Truly you are a very good human being Tameka. Just imagining treating everyone like flowers and emerging as one. What a beautiful thought.
http://rimlybezbaruah.blogspot.com/2011/08/road.html
Sister stories make me cry. I am never going to be over losing my sister. I am never going to stop beating myself up for not calling more or taking pictures with her when we were together as adults. Cherish those moments…every single one of them because some of us would trade years of our lives to have those moments back. Thank you for sharing a beautiful story and sentiment.
Rimly thanks so much for your kind words! I’ve missed connecting with you. I pray that all is well in your world. Cheers!
Jen! I didn’t know you lost your sister. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure she knew then and knows now that you love her dearly. You will definitely see her again and she is always with you. She’s probably laughing a lot at some of your funny blog posts and marveling at your poetic insights on life and love.
I actually lost a sister too. Her name was Angie. I never got a chance to meet her. My mom told me that she died shortly after her birth after I was given up for adoption. I will always carry her in my heart and I know she was smiling when I met Dannie.
I will cherish the moments I’m being blessed with and I will continue to share. Bless your heart!