When I saw these flowers I couldn’t resist snapping a photo with my iphone. Perky and petite, the pink, orange, and yellow hues, beautiful in their variegation, spoke, “Look at me! I’m special! I’m making a statement!”

Would they be as lovely in monochrome? And would solid colors have inspired the thoughts about life that followed?

As a young adult I wanted everything to be “perfect” in order to be happy. I sought out adventure, the perfect man, a day without challenges. Even a bad hair day could throw things off.

Now that I’m older and wiser, I realize that since life presents itself on its own terms, the contrasts in experiences often have benefits. I can appreciate a wonderful manager because I’ve had those who are less than stellar; I value my health even more because friends are experiencing life-threatening challenges; I’m deeply grateful for my loving family because I’ve also known loneliness.

Life is expressed in variegated experiences, and with each one, grows richer and more meaningful. I’m glad these little flowers caused me to pause, reflect, and be thankful for all the riches life holds.

Orchid-Love                                                                         

My husband and I share a love of plants. We first set eyes on each other at a meeting  of the Northwest Orchid Society (NWOS). So recently, when he told me there was an orchid show, I hauled myself out of bed where I’d been recovering from a horrible spring cold, to visit the free display sponsored by NWOS at Sky Nursery in Seattle. Free, that is, if you can exercise discipline with your wallet when the blooms beckon.

The NWOS outdid themselves with this exhibit. I think it was the most beautiful one I’ve seen yet. There were many species and hybrids, in colors of orange, fuchsia, purple, yellow, purple and white, and combinations of all. There were large orchids and miniatures, and those growing on bark hanging from booth walls. NWOS also incorporated their theme from the latest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle, an “Orchid-stra,” featuring music and descriptions of orchid varieties from a musical perspective.

As I strolled around the exhibit tables of award-winning orchids, and then the vendor tables where orchids of all sizes, colors and shapes were for sale, it struck me that even more interesting than the orchids are the people who love them.

There were youngish-looking and older men and women, some alone and others with their spouses or partners, and groups of friends–all excited about explaining how to cultivate and not kill the orchids after taking their “babies” home. The extent of their knowledge about these plant creatures never ceases to amaze me.

Orchid-love is not a hobby, it is an avocation. Society members cut across all socio-economic levels and professions. Their friendships extend over decades. As do the orchids they so tenderly care for to achieve the ultimate orchid-joy—a bloom.

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