Mother had cancer. When she went to the hospital the last time, someone sent her
an Easter lily to brighten her room. Since her immune system was so damaged, the
doctor asked me to remove the plant. Mother was saddened because the plant was
in full bloom, but she understood. I told her I would take good care of it and she
would see it when she went home again. I truly believed she would come home
again.
But she didn't. My world turned upside down and days turned into months before I
knew it. The lily lost its blooms and withered to nothing but dried sticks in a terra
cotta pot. After moving the pot a hundred times, I finally put it on the back porch and
forgot about it, figuring it was already dead anyway.
Time went by and I completely forgot all about that lily, until the next spring came
and I saw it growing again. I was surprised at first, then thrilled. Then I became
angry. Mother died and she couldn't come back, so why can that lily? It wasn't fair.
It bloomed beautifully that season with no help from me. Then the hot summer sun
came and it withered and died again. I finally broke off the sticks at ground level
once again and said to the plant, "Guess that's it?" My bitterness ran deep.
It's been seven years now, and it's almost Easter again. As I stare out the kitchen
window at the planter outside, I am surprised to see those beautiful lilies growing so
beautiful and tall! There is a whole planter full of them as the bulbs split and
reproduce each year.
Easter is the religious celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I've known
that all my life. But only now can I fully realize what resurrection truly means. To
die, and to rise again to LIVE. That's what the lily has taught me. As Christ died and
rose again, so does this lily. So did my Mother.
I'm so grateful for this flower that honors my Mother on the anniversary of her death
every year. For during a time when I would be so saddened, it reminds me that
there is a resurrection. That there is life after death. It rises in all its glory, putting
on more flowers every year than the year before.
I don't mistreat the plant anymore because I'm no longer angry with it. Instead, I
coddle it and coax it and watch the dirt for signs that it's coming again. Just as I
believe we should watch for signs that Jesus is coming again. Easter is a time to
remember His resurrection, and the price He paid for us by His death on the cross.
But it's also a time to remind ourselves that not only has He risen, but He is coming
again!
April, for me, is a time of bitter-sweetness. It's a time to remember a woman who
loved me very much and who I loved with ever fiber of my being. I miss her greatly ~
still after all these years. Yet, I know in my heart she has gone to live with the Lord,
and in that knowledge comes peace to my heart. For I know one day I will see her
again. Jesus promised, for with His death and resurrection came His guarantee that
life is eternal. Mother died, and was resurrected, according to the Lord's promise.
And as she is now with Him, as I will be also, someday. And in being reunited with
Him, I will also be reunited with her, and many other loved ones who are now gone
from this earth. What joy, I can barely imagine!
On that great day, all the mysteries of life and death will be made known, all tears
will be wiped away, grief will be no more, and joy will abound. And, oh boy, I just
can't wait to tell Mother about her lilies. On second thought, I'm sure she already
knows!
She DID go home again, to her Heavenly home ~ her REAL home!
an Easter lily to brighten her room. Since her immune system was so damaged, the
doctor asked me to remove the plant. Mother was saddened because the plant was
in full bloom, but she understood. I told her I would take good care of it and she
would see it when she went home again. I truly believed she would come home
again.
But she didn't. My world turned upside down and days turned into months before I
knew it. The lily lost its blooms and withered to nothing but dried sticks in a terra
cotta pot. After moving the pot a hundred times, I finally put it on the back porch and
forgot about it, figuring it was already dead anyway.
Time went by and I completely forgot all about that lily, until the next spring came
and I saw it growing again. I was surprised at first, then thrilled. Then I became
angry. Mother died and she couldn't come back, so why can that lily? It wasn't fair.
It bloomed beautifully that season with no help from me. Then the hot summer sun
came and it withered and died again. I finally broke off the sticks at ground level
once again and said to the plant, "Guess that's it?" My bitterness ran deep.
It's been seven years now, and it's almost Easter again. As I stare out the kitchen
window at the planter outside, I am surprised to see those beautiful lilies growing so
beautiful and tall! There is a whole planter full of them as the bulbs split and
reproduce each year.
Easter is the religious celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I've known
that all my life. But only now can I fully realize what resurrection truly means. To
die, and to rise again to LIVE. That's what the lily has taught me. As Christ died and
rose again, so does this lily. So did my Mother.
I'm so grateful for this flower that honors my Mother on the anniversary of her death
every year. For during a time when I would be so saddened, it reminds me that
there is a resurrection. That there is life after death. It rises in all its glory, putting
on more flowers every year than the year before.
I don't mistreat the plant anymore because I'm no longer angry with it. Instead, I
coddle it and coax it and watch the dirt for signs that it's coming again. Just as I
believe we should watch for signs that Jesus is coming again. Easter is a time to
remember His resurrection, and the price He paid for us by His death on the cross.
But it's also a time to remind ourselves that not only has He risen, but He is coming
again!
April, for me, is a time of bitter-sweetness. It's a time to remember a woman who
loved me very much and who I loved with ever fiber of my being. I miss her greatly ~
still after all these years. Yet, I know in my heart she has gone to live with the Lord,
and in that knowledge comes peace to my heart. For I know one day I will see her
again. Jesus promised, for with His death and resurrection came His guarantee that
life is eternal. Mother died, and was resurrected, according to the Lord's promise.
And as she is now with Him, as I will be also, someday. And in being reunited with
Him, I will also be reunited with her, and many other loved ones who are now gone
from this earth. What joy, I can barely imagine!
On that great day, all the mysteries of life and death will be made known, all tears
will be wiped away, grief will be no more, and joy will abound. And, oh boy, I just
can't wait to tell Mother about her lilies. On second thought, I'm sure she already
knows!
She DID go home again, to her Heavenly home ~ her REAL home!
| About Easter © Ferna Lary Mills |
| A Christian Grief Ministry |
Life After Loss |