A little story about a plant…

and regeneration and forgiveness.

Many years ago, almost 20, I attended SMU for my Master’s degree. I was in a small program and because of that I was able to spend a lot of time with my advisor’s family & in particular, his wife. They had 5 boys, she home-schooled them all and they lived on campus in housing for professors. They would invite me and the other students over for meals, and as we got to know each other, Mrs. Smith invited me to some women’s events at their church. I really liked her. ((Because of her sweet spirit of hospitality, I have one of the most hilarious pumpkin pie stories EVER – but I will share it another time, like around pumpkin pie eating time.))

When I was about halfway through with the program, my advisor and his family moved to Egypt so he could teach at the University of America in Cairo. That changed a lot for me, but for this story that is neither here nor there. When they were just a few days from boarding their plane, Dr. Smith told me his wife had something for me. From all of our time together, they had learned I loved plants and Mrs. Smith had a few houseplants she wanted to give to me. I was excited and said a quick yes, and headed to their house so she could pass them on to me.

I remember her hesitating about an airplane plant, saying “this one is nothing special, I just use it to filter the air – you could pick one up anywhere, if you don’t want it, I will just toss it.” I couldn’t stand the thought and quickly let her know I would be happy to have it.  ((I no longer have that plant)) The next plant, she handed me with tears in her eyes. “This plant was my mom’s, she loved it. She died just a few years ago of cancer. She was great with plants…I can’t take it with me and I am afraid if I give it to just anyone, it will die. Will you take it for me? It would make me feel better to know you were taking care of it.” I was surprised, out of all the people she knew, she picked me. I was grateful and promised her I would take very good care of it – I asked her the name so I could research specific care requirements and she couldn’t remember. “My mom would know, she was much better with plants than I am.” I later found out it’s a ‘Rosary Plant’, named after long delicate vines and calciferous nodes that grow evenly spaced on the vines (the nodes are a sign of a happy plant), making it resemble a rosary necklace — or so I thought that is where the name came from…

For over a decade, I kept my promise, it grew, it thrived and I had a nice sense of satisfaction knowing I had kept my promise. Then one day, something happened – or more like someone happened. I got my first toddler. He ripped the rosary plant out of the pot and broke off the stems. I think I birthed a cow when I discovered what he had done. I stuck it all back in the pot watered, root-boosted and prayed ((haha get it… rosary…bad joke, sorry)).

It grew back. Then one day, something happened — or more like someone…my second toddler ripped the rosary plant out of the pot and broke off the stems. I birthed another cow, stuck it all back it the pot, prayed first, watered and root-boosted.

It grew back, again. Then one day, something happened — or more like someone…my THIRD toddler ripped the rosary plant out of the pot, broke off the stems and I am pretty sure he did a little jig on top of it all. I birthed two cows, prayed ((twice)), stuck it all back in the pot, watered, root-boosted and drove directly to Sonic and purchased TWO 44 oz. Dt Cherry Cokes.

It grew back, AGAIN. Then one day ((this is the truth BTW)), something happened — or more like someone…my FOURTH toddler climbed up on a chair, that wasn’t high enough. Then she scaled the back of the chair and balanced on the highest point of the recliner, that was high enough…to reach the plant hanging high from the ceiling. Guess what comes next…she ripped that rosary plant right out of the pot, broke the stems into 28 pieces and proudly brought it all to me…as a gift. I prayed, thanked her and asked her to NEVER bring me that kind of gift EVER again, stuck it all back in the pot, watered, root-boosted and went back to cooking dinner.

I don’t know what it is about that plant but each one of the kids tore it to shreds…only that plant. I now know the real reason it’s called ‘Rosary’ plant….it takes a  lot of prayer for this little thing to survive in a household of toddlers.

It’s been almost 2 years since the last time it was shredded. I now have two plants, thanks to Gracie’s effective propagation techniques… The red plastic clips are holding the stems down in an effort to force additional root growth. Look close and you will notice, not a single node can be found. But the plant has regenerated, and new growth is evident. I am fairly certain this last decade of care does not line up with what Mrs. Smith had intended when she passed this treasure on to me…then again, in a house full with five boys, I can’t help but think ((and secretly hope)) my toddlers were not the first heathens to give this little plant the ‘business’.

Dear Mrs. Smith,

Please forgive me. The lack of nodes tell the story…she’s not very happy, surprisingly. But I have no more toddlers ((sniff)), surely the nodes will return soon. My last toddler did us a favor and ‘propagated’ the beloved plant. I hope we cross paths one day so I can return your mom’s plant to you. I kept my promise…I promise.

Love,

Emily