Wisdom Ways of the Bromeliad

I think I’ve had this plant, a “bromeliad”, for about 6 or 7 years.  Bernadine gave me a couple young sprouts and told me that it only flowers once in its life, pushes out new sprouts from the roots, and then dies.  You probably remember this wild, overgrown, not-so-lovely plant.  I planted 2 young sprouts together, and they divided into two more sprouts even though I did not have any flowering.

I considered dumping the plant several times, or pulling it apart to see if it would flower.  Last summer I had it outside in hopes something would jump start a bloom.  Nope.

This summer it was parked on the post on the front porch, shady, didn’t get much rain, and pretty much was ignored.  One of the sprouts   withered and died.  And then….

It was days just before leaving home for three weeks away,  Camp Sunshine and then two weeks of vacation, thatwhile watering I noticed a white thingy deep inside one of the plants while giving it a final watering.   CRAP! I thought.  It’s gonna bloom while we are gone.  Nope.  Very slowly it reached upward and began to unfold.  Each day a bit more.  We took a photo when we thought is was fully opened.  Nope, it opened more to reveal those purple parts and then some red parts, and still it changes slightly with each new day.  I touched the bloom and its hard and spikey, pokey, and no fragrance, but amazing still.  Every day it brings me delight.  And a second white sprout is emerging in a deep leaf well next to the first.  Depending on how long the first bloom lasts, we may have 2 at once.

I am trying to listen to the wisdom ways of the bromeliad: be patient in the unfolding of life.   Sometime just “let it be” and don’t try to make something happen when the time is not right or ready yet. Don’t give up on the potential that lies within – the possibilities keep hope alive. Keep watching.  How life unfolds may be surprising; beauty and joy may also have its prickles.  And, this flower and life won’t last forever: enjoy the moment even as its inevitable death gives way to another life within.