Right after Everett was born, our friends Michael and Hilary came over with a delicious meal, a cute baby outfit, and a beautiful potted peace lily.
You know what this means, right?
I’ve officially kept a plant alive for an entire year.
*applause*
It’s probably worth noting that we received two other plants that week, both of which died within a few days. Word of advice: please don’t give new moms plants or flowers that require a lot of maintenance. It’s such a sweet gesture, but giving a new mom another living thing to take care of is just not practical.
Our peace lily, on the other hand, has been a perfect house plant. She sits quietly in front of the tiny peekaboo window in the kitchen, inhaling dirty air and exhaling a clean replacement. She serves her purpose well and requires little care. Her leaves droop a bit when she’s thirsty, but quickly perk up again once she’s had a drink. I like to spin her around from time to time, to give all of the leaves an equal turn facing the window.
This is how I know I am called to be a mother, because I love to take care of things.
She’s simple, that peace lily.
She only needs water and light. Light and water.
Nothing more, nothing less.
She’s a reminder of sorts. Sometimes when I look at her still green leaves, I remind myself to slow down. I release my scattered thoughts and think only of the simple things I need. I think of breath and water and food. I think of Jesus, love, and grace. I think of family and friends and my sweet baby boy. I can count everything I need with the fingers on my two hands.
I remind myself to breathe. To inhale and exhale and take a drink of water and most importantly, turn my heart towards the light.
