Rose of Jericho, a Resurrection Plant

My dear friend, Christie Waldron, brought me a rose of Jericho, a resurrection plant. What joy to see the symbolism of this beauty. From Wikipedia:

S. lepidophylla is noted for its ability to survive almost complete desiccation; during dry weather in its native habitat, its stems curl into a tight ball and uncurl only when exposed to moisture.

Truly, #beautyallaround and, "There's hope. Look."

Poetry Friday: Christie Taylor Waldron

Christie Taylor Waldron

Cradled safely in

the palm of her Maker's hand

content in His hold

Lorie Ann Grover, 2011

You can read my friend's blog here. You should. 

Poetry Friday: "A Fond Farewell" by Christie Waldron

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and my dear friend Christie, I'm reposting her poem she wrote the night before her bilateral mastectomy.

A Fond Farewell

At twelve you embarrassed me. I wanted to wish you away.

(I had grown up with brothers, after all, and wanted to go shirtless forever!)

But that was before.

Before I knew how fun it was to actually fill a bikini top. :-)

Before I knew how fun it was to bra shop. (NOT!)

Before I knew that when a woman sets out to lose weight, it usually starts with the boobs.

Before I was married.

Before I knew what it meant to be blessed with a body part that could actually sustain life.

Before I knew that someday I'd lose you.

And so, on this mastectomy eve, I will say "Thank You."
Thank you for appearing out of nowhere that summer before 6th grade.
Thank you for holding up my strapless wedding dress.

Thank you for faithfully producing life-sustaining, fat-roly-thigh nourishment to my three precious babies.

Thank you for pointing the way all these years. (Hahaha, I crack me up!))

Most recently, thank you for showing me what gravity actually looks like.

Thank you.
Though you never defined me, you did accent me.

I will miss you.