I’m grateful for the orchid forest

The first orchid anyone ever gave me was right after I had to put my dog to sleep. One of my clients brought this white and pink orchid that stayed in my treatment room, blooming for months.

Another client saw this and gifted me with another orchid, and shortly after I bought one of my own. That began a small orchid collection at my office that eventually moved home with me when we closed during the pandemic.

After my Dad died, more orchids came. First brought again as gifts of condolences from friends and loved ones.

Then I caught the bug and started buying orchids for myself with the goal to always have one in bloom. I started joking that “orchids are my copy strategy.”

Apparently, I’m not the only one who finds them healing.

Kelly also started caring for orchids in the wake of her own grief last year.

When she moved in a few weeks ago, we blended our orchid family. They now all live together under the east-facing window and we lookout them during our morning writing time.

I’ve inevitably had some peter out and die, but I’m grateful I kept at it because I’ve also sustained the life of many of them. Learning to care for plants takes time and attention and compassion for oneself. These plants are my teachers.

What are you grateful for? What surprising hobbies have you taken up during times fo great transition?