We moved nearly 2 years ago, but we still rent the old property out. These tenants aren't gardeners in the least, so I've been on a rescue mission lately, to dig up all of my plants and move them to our new place. Last summer, I offered up more irises to anyone that was interested. One day, early in the fall, I saw 2 of the women that work in my chiropractor's office at a landscape place. We chatted briefly, and I mentioned all of the plants I was trying to rescue. I offered them some irises, and they were both interested. Later in the fall, I brought sacks of iris plants to my chiropractor's office. Both women were excited, but especially Jan. She had just recently lost her mother, and she thought planting the irises would be a nice tribute to her. I showed them both how deep to plant them and explained that they likely wouldn't bloom in the first year after being transplanted.
It was a long, cold winter. Finally, the temperatures began to rise, and I would get reports every Monday when I came in for my chiropractor visits. "I'm starting to get green leaves!" "Shouldn't they be blooming by now?" I had to remind them again that they probably wouldn't bloom this spring. A week ago, Jan was thrilled to tell me that one iris had a stalk with buds. I could tell she was disappointed that it was the only one, but I assured her this was normal.
Yesterday, I came in for my usual visit. While I was doing my stretches, Jan rushed over and shoved her phone in my face. "Look!", she said, and there was a picture of an iris bloom. "Oh yea! It finally bloomed!", I said. She grinned and said, "Do you know when it opened up?", she hesitated before answering, "...yesterday". I gasped as a chill went up my spine, and exclaimed, "Mother's Day!". Her eyes got teary as she reminded me that she had planted the flowers in honor of her mother. Her husband woke her up Sunday morning and said, "You've GOT to see this!!". He hustled her out of bed and to the window, where a single iris bloom was standing tall and proud. I felt as though my heart would burst. Many people over the years have shown me gratitude for sharing my beautiful plants with them, but this has got to be, hands down, the biggest blessing I've ever received as a result of giving away irises. I don't like the terms "God-thing" or "God-moment"; to me, it minimizes all those other moments that God is ALWAYS working in our lives. But for Jan on this Mother's Day, I know she felt God's arms wrap around her. And knowing that I played just a tiny roll in that moment, is a feeling I can't possibly describe. All I did was pass along some extra plants, plants that were never really mine to begin with. I think this just goes to show that even the slightest kindness we do for others, sometimes matters more than we could ever know. I don't say this to toot my own horn, but to encourage all of you out there to give back; pay it forward. Heck, it's a lesson I myself need to remember more often...be kind; you never know the smiles or the hope you might inspire.
