thoughtful thursday

an amaryllis bulb was received as a gift in the third week of december, 2011.  for more than a week, even though it was given the right conditions for growth, nothing happened.  i have never grown an amaryllis bulb before so each day i would look at it, with concern, when i got up in the morning and still found no signs of life.  had i killed it before it ever had a chance?  then one morning i found the smallest tip of green peeking out of the top of the bulb.  it amazed how excited finding green emerging from the bulb made me. the amaryllis was alive and had begun to grow! but that was the extent of the excitement for awhile because there was no visible growth for several more days.  when the stem was finally an inch in length, it seemed like a huge milestone had been achieved in the world of the amaryllis bulb. more time passed before there was evidence of two stems emerging on either side of the main stem.  the main stem slowly revealed several separate stems amid the main stem.  the two side stems have remained single, but very plump.  the amaryllis has lived with me for a month.  the main stem is only three inches in length.  one of the side stems is almost that high and the other is approximately one inch high. mom and i have laughed that the christmas amaryllis could very well be an easter amaryllis!

one day this week i looked at the amaryllis and it suddenly took on new meaning. perhaps this process was not only a flower bulb growing but also a lesson in progress.  progress is moving forward, getting beyond where one began.  it is important to remember that progress, however slight and slow, is nonetheless progress.  progress requires patience.  progress demands that we pay attention to each step forward.  progress urges us to be excited about each step forward because this is success in succession over time.   the amaryllis will be celebrated when it has finally progressed to a fully matured plant and blooms unfurl at the top of stems; even if that does indeed take until easter!  take your time, amaryllis.  i'm with you, patiently, each day!