Saturday, November 10, 2012

The Ficus is Dying

The Ficus is Dying.

It's been with me since before she died.

She had it near the marbled window in the dining room.

The little tree never grew too big.

I liked it that way.

Slowly through the years every one of her plants died.

First the violets which bloomed again right after her death.

Then a teeny, tiny plant she kept in the windowsill.

When Dad moved away, he gave us the rest of her plants.  Beautiful, full hanging ones.  My sister took the hanging plants, and I took the little Ficus tree.

My sister left them outside for a few hours in her front yard, and a big storm hit.  The plants were tossed around to shreds.

But the Ficus survived and followed me from apartment to apartment for the past seven years.  Many leaves were lost along the way, but somehow the Ficus kept going.  I kept telling myself that I really needed to replant it or give it some plant food, but I never did. 

I looked at the Ficus several weeks ago and noticed most of the leaves were dead.  I cried and wondered if any of those leaves could have been some of the original leaves from the time Mom was alive.  I did not even want to pick off the dead leaves because I would only see empty branches.

I had remembered to water the Ficus, but maybe it was not getting enough sun.  Or was it simply done living after over two decades?  I stared at its barren branches and cried again.

I talked to the Ficus.  Please don't die, I pleaded.  Please grow again, Little Ficus.  Please don't leave me.

Weeks went by, and I saw some tiny new growth on the tips of the branches.  I celebrated a victory which turned out to be short-lived.  The little leaves soon curled up and died.

I cried again and begged once more.  I watered and watered and prayed for new growth.

Suddenly, it all made sense to me.  The new growth had finally come.

New branches were sprouting at the base of The Ficus.

Rebirth, Little Ficus, Rebirth.

Grow again, Little Ficus ~ this time stronger than before ~