Kindness Lives on

It’s that time of the year when my bathroom plant sends me handfuls of pale pink flowers. Unremarkable, except this plant was grown for me from a cutting by my dear friend Joan in 1988.  Some 32 years later it still flourishes, reminding me of her love. Since then it has joined me in 5 house moves and continues to remind me of my friend. It forgives me, even when I don’t especially look after it, and is there when I need it most.

Joan died in 1993, just four weeks after I gave birth to my first child. I still miss her. She was a woman in her 70s but so vibrant and caring, so funny and wise. Joan had ‘adopted’ me at a time when I was living on my own, felt especially lonely and in a career where I didn’t really fit in. I spent a lot of time in her company and in her beautiful garden in Sutton Coldfield.

Since then she has lived on in my head and heart. The gifts she gave me, her words of wisdom and the plants she propagated continue on my life journey, including this pink flowing succulent. Her small acts of kindness seem to have embedded themselves into my soul and I am reminded of it, especially in times where my own mental health takes a knock and I struggle. Kindness is so profound when you struggle with mental ill health, sometimes the smallest gestures live on, through decades. I’ve been thinking about kindness, the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness week, and this blossoming plant reminded me of how important kindness is.

Bloom on lovely plant, reminding me of time spent with Joan, reminding me of kindness and of assurance that when depression hits, I can overcome it.

B