The Ethereal Peony: Marilyn Monroe on a Stem

"Like Marilyn Monroe on a stem, peonies are glamorous, voluptuous, and heart-stoppingly unforgettable."

That is how Tovah Martin of The Oprah Magazine described the peony flowers. Flowers do have their own personalities. Our choice of flowers express who we are and our desires. No wonder they have come to have meaning --- for those giving and receiving. 

In the Valentine's Day of this year, i received a bouquet (from The Flower Shop Around the Corner) from my husband. And for the first time in my entire life, i get big blooms of scarlet peonies. I was enthralled! I couldn't take my eyes off them. "Peonies are the hussies of spring. No shrinking violets, they are so blowsy and brazen that a single glance can leave you breathless," Tovah Martin goes on to say.  I like that: passion, and romance, pulsating in the message.

Sadly, they do not last long. Everyday, they shed their waxy petals. If i had a bathtub, i would have strewn them on the water. 

"Not everything, though needs to be forever. Once the affair is over, you'll be left with some sizzling memories. And then: same time next year." ~ T. Martin

From Prayer to Prayer

Iyanla Vanzant, famous millionaire inspirational speaker and author gone broke, when asked if she was living from paycheck to paycheck said, "I'm living from prayer to prayer."

How that hit me. And hard.

In her latest book which I want to get a hold of -- she, with rigorous honesty, tells her story.

"...her testimony might bring tears to your eyes while also forcing you to question the depth and resolve of your own faith and relationship with the Lord. At the same time, she offers neither an excuse nor appeal for pity on her behalf. Iyanla in her book, tells the truth about the moments of her life leading up until now, from the death of her mother, being raped by her uncle and the pathologies set in motion by both." 

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/morris-w-okelly/iyanla-vanzant-from-brink_b_784636.html

Inspiration. It can come from anywhere. At a time when i was down in the dumps, chewing the fruit of ingratitude and resentment, seeing only a life of scarcity --- i catch Oprah interviewing Iyanla.

Hosea 10:12-13 NIV

"Sow righteousness for yourselves,

reap the fruit of unfailing love,

and break up your unplowed ground;

for it is time to seek the Lord,

until he comes

and showers his righteousness on you.

But you have planted wickedness,

you have reaped evil,

you have eaten the fruit of deception.

Because you have depended on your own strength

and on your many warriors."

Got that.

From prayer to prayer...

Hope for the Flowers

In one of my pleasurable trips to the nearest second-hand bookstore, i chanced upon an old copy (1972 newsprint) of the book: Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus. It was almost for free at the unbelievable price of 15 pesos. Yes, fifteen!

I first came across this beautiful allegorical tale back in the eighties when i was just starting to have my mind toss around the meaning of life.

Don't be fooled by the comicbook-ish feel to it. There are many points too profound that a simplistic 15 minute sweep cannot cover. One must savor the story as one savors a glass of good wine. We wonder at some point if there is more to life than what we are currently living. I do have those moments. And those times certainly make me restless. There are also those frantic days when i tire myself out over things that do not really add value to my person. Shallow stuff mostly. Mostly meaningless, but indulged in. 

This book is even included in the reading list of an entrepreneurship course in some business schools. Get yourself a copy. If you can't find one, at least google the summary.

Are you still a caterpillar?

Why crawl when you can fly?

From Jason Mraz's lyrics:

Crawling out the cocoon I've been living in
I hear familiar sounds but few recognize who voice it is, 
I've been sleeping in until now, and charmed I started scribbling unscrambling towns, games we play imagining everything, 
Aint we really lucky cause we get a pair of wings, 
Aint we really lucky and that is a lovely thing, 
Aint we really lucky there is hope for the flowers
Yeah yeah yeah oh yeah oh yeah...

...Might you try to walk before you learn to crawl
You know much better well if you want to fly just close your eyes
And click your heels together and tell me nothings wrong with this picture, nothing is wrong with this picture 
I've been sleeping in until now I spun a course in miracles
I'm really close now, I want us to experience a myriad of styles, 
Games we play while managing everything
Aint we really lucky cause we get a pair of wings
Aint we really lucky and that is a lovely thing
Aint we really lucky there's hope for the flowers
Yes oh yes oh yes
There is hope for the flowers yes oh yes oh yes
There is hope for the flowers yes oh yes oh yes
There is hope for the flowers yes oh yes oh yes mmm

My New Favorite Flower

Yes, the luscious, vibrant clusters of the showy Hydrangea -- that's the one. Coming from an interview one late morning last week, i chanced upon a very small stall of plants at the neighborhood mall. The Hydrangea was difficult to miss as the flowers were the only bright petals among the nondescript assortment of house plants there. 

They seemed to call out to me. And loud. I could not resist. At that point i needed their energy. I needed the life they had. They seemed to reassure me that i would be alright, and that the path i am taking -- albeit unfamiliar, is going to be fine.

I purchased one plant still in its black polythene plastic bag. Would have wanted to buy a couple more but i was taking public transport home. We immediately bonded as it spoke a thousand and one stories from each of its petals. They each knew my name. Whenever i look out from the kitchen window into our backyard garden, we exchange notes. I exhale from the deep that which i am afraid to express to creatures of my kind, while they listen without judgment. It is no wonder that this flower stands for friendship, devotion, and understanding. The name comes from the Greek word that means vessel. Myself, a vessel, empty as it is, will draw inspiration from the Hydrangea.

One Flew Over the Nest

Irene Corey

I think i may be developing a compulsion to collect bird knick knacks, bird images, bird stuffed toys. But this must be clipped, lest i  amass dust-gatherers. Ewww.

As of last posting the avian theme has strongly inserted itself into my psyche. 

Thought bubbles floating around in my head: flying the coop, spreading the wings, learning to fly, trying out one's wings, not under our wings...

This is why: one of my sons has made the move to live independently, yup. Alone, fending and taking total responsibility for himself. He is of age. When i was his age i couldn't wait to take on that freedom...the challenge of being accountable to only myself. I left home to live in a dorm in Refugee Camp upon being accepted for a teaching position. It was exhilarating! I see the same in my son's eyes.

Embarking on his own life, he is thrilled.

How do papa and mama birds feel when this happens? My brain says, yes, it's about time -- for him to go out into the world and conquer it, learn what it means to be a responsible adult. We are confident that he has been equipped with the necessary life skills to survive. We are actually proud that he initiated everything. He is street smart. He's got chutzpah, this one. 

But the heart of the matter -- is heart breaking due to some sense of loss. No more "child". The transition has happened (of course, not just now) to full adult --- officially, that is. The Empty Nest Syndrome we have been feeling these last couple of years, i must say --- but more of a joke between myself and my husband. Now, the reality has begun. The sad feelings are slowly trickling in.

This is a comforting thought:

The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence."

 - Denis Waitly

One guy said that leaving home in a sense involves a kind of second birth in which we give birth to ourselves.   Happy Birthday, son! May this new chapter usher in a better you. Walk in wisdom's steps. Contribute to the good in the world. God bless you.

And to me in this new phase, the same prayer.

Today. Day 1.

Got Worms?

This second half of the year the metaphor of looking for "worms" to take home to our young adult kids has been in good use. It is an image which my husband happily institutionalized in our simple yet joyful family. Every time we are away --- the travel back home finds us stopping at some food joint to get some "to-go's" to our waiting kids. The pasalubong need not be expensive. Even a doughnut each cuts it.

At our kids' ages one may think it absurd that we reverted to this gesture at this point (it is usually reserved for young children still in primary school). No spoiling from us, though. It is the joy of giving from the heart and in return, receiving that delightful look in their faces showing they appreciate having been thought of.

The three of them practice the same with us. The joy goes around.