When I was a little boy I would go with my big sister in search of a particular flower. The elusive and beautiful lady slipper, Cypripedium Acaule, is a orchid that grows in the northeastern United States. It can be found in shady areas. usually at the base of a tree. They are quite rare, although we didn't know that, but had been told it was illegal to pick as it was endangered. In our minds that meant it was dangerous and we reveled in the adventure. Sneaking through the woods, trying our best to walk like an Indian, we watched for the police because we just knew they were watching. What we were going to do was illegal after all. It was the nineteen fifties and you didn't challenge the law. When you are eight or ten the danger is real. None of that mattered as Mom liked these flowers and it was Mom we were out to please. With the innocence of youth, the intent was to bring a smile to Moms' face, receive a thank you, perhaps a hug, and continue on with life. When you are young like that you often pause your life to please others.When you get older you sometimes hoard that time for yourself. Something I didn't understand then, and only recently discovered, was how precious sharing that time with my sister was. It is one of the strings that tie our hearts together. Secrets shared, we searched the wood for those flowers.
It was such a small thing, something I hadn't really given thought too. It is that way with things from the heart. thought usually isn't involved, only feelings. It remains as a pleasant memory, occasionally making its' way to the surface. It was just something we did together in the spring, when we knew those flowers bloomed. Such a delicate flower, a pale shade of pink peeking from the shadows.The leaves of last fall would still be there, the leaves that acted as a blanket to keep the plants warm during the long winter months. Surely those plants were chilled, as frail as they appeared to be, but always persevering. And now, in reflection I see my sister in those buds. Rare and beautiful, elusive at times, delicate, but with an inner strength that endures.
There came a time when we left that wood and went into the world. We traveled separate paths that rarely intersected. I was sailing in the Navy and she had married the Air Force. At times we were half a world apart. Children and grandchildren filling our lives the years have rolled by. Yet in my memories we walk together through the wood, dodging the law, in our quest together. The quest was for just a moments love, a simple touching of the heart. What was shared was the love of brother and sister, a love untarnished by time and growing still. We went in search of a flower but what we found was far more precious, far more rare than any orchid. We discovered love is perennial, always enduring, even during the longest winter. The spring will arrive and love will bloom once again.
That rare and elusive flower, Cypripedium Acaule, the Lady Slipper is a symbol of that love. I've always thought that Angels were barefooted, but now I'm not so sure. I'm thinking my sister will be wearing slippers in heaven, when her times comes to travel there. I'll find her on a wooded path or perhaps she'll find me. Only time can write the story, only time will tell.
It was such a small thing, something I hadn't really given thought too. It is that way with things from the heart. thought usually isn't involved, only feelings. It remains as a pleasant memory, occasionally making its' way to the surface. It was just something we did together in the spring, when we knew those flowers bloomed. Such a delicate flower, a pale shade of pink peeking from the shadows.The leaves of last fall would still be there, the leaves that acted as a blanket to keep the plants warm during the long winter months. Surely those plants were chilled, as frail as they appeared to be, but always persevering. And now, in reflection I see my sister in those buds. Rare and beautiful, elusive at times, delicate, but with an inner strength that endures.
There came a time when we left that wood and went into the world. We traveled separate paths that rarely intersected. I was sailing in the Navy and she had married the Air Force. At times we were half a world apart. Children and grandchildren filling our lives the years have rolled by. Yet in my memories we walk together through the wood, dodging the law, in our quest together. The quest was for just a moments love, a simple touching of the heart. What was shared was the love of brother and sister, a love untarnished by time and growing still. We went in search of a flower but what we found was far more precious, far more rare than any orchid. We discovered love is perennial, always enduring, even during the longest winter. The spring will arrive and love will bloom once again.
That rare and elusive flower, Cypripedium Acaule, the Lady Slipper is a symbol of that love. I've always thought that Angels were barefooted, but now I'm not so sure. I'm thinking my sister will be wearing slippers in heaven, when her times comes to travel there. I'll find her on a wooded path or perhaps she'll find me. Only time can write the story, only time will tell.
No comments:
Post a Comment