amaranthe
05-04-2009, 01:18 PM
I just got back from the convience store near my house. (Actually, it is 15 min away, but for country folk like me, that IS convience! :)) Anyway, as I was leaving, I pulled around back b/c someone was blocking me. As I turned around, I saw the store's dumpster. But then out of nowhere, I saw this tall mound of irises, waving proudly at me from the top of the little hill. I couldnt believe my eyes! They had taken over this little hillside and were even growing right up next to the dumpster! They were THISCLOSE to it! It was amazing, poetic, and profound. The flowers were so glorious, proud, and magestic. I doubt there has been anyone who has ever seen them that hasnt been moved. They were that beautiful and inspiring.
It made me wonder which was there first, dumpster or the flowers. Well, whichever one was there first, those flowers looked like they were saying to the world, "We have just as much of a right to be here as this dumpster, and dumpster or no dumpster, we arent going ANYWHERE!" :)
Then, I wondered if someone planted them there or if they just grew there. I could see either happening. I mean, it would be like something I would do to plant flowers by a dumpster. But, of course, it would be like something God would do too!
I thought about those flowers by that dumpster all the way home. It made me reflect and think about how lots of times there are good things are sometimes mixed in with the bad things. Like the way I have met so many here I care about, even though having IC was part of the deal.
Would those flowers have been as beautiful without the contrast of the dumpster beside them? What would joy and happiness look like without pain and sorrow?
I think what moved me so much about those flowers is that they were growing and prospering where they seemingly had no right to grow or prosper. It made me think about the ICN and the people here, and that we seem to do the same. We prosper here together, with strength in numbers, just as the irises seem to understand. We are also made more beautiful by the ugliness that surrounds us. (After all, I dont know a soul who has IC that has not become a better and more compassionate person.)
If you ever come to visit me, I wont have the Grand Canyon to show you like some ICers could. I cant take you to see the Lincoln or Jefferson Memorials the way other ICers might. But, I CAN take you to see the the flowers by the garbage dumpster, and I doubt any of you have seen a more awe-inspiring sight!
It made me wonder which was there first, dumpster or the flowers. Well, whichever one was there first, those flowers looked like they were saying to the world, "We have just as much of a right to be here as this dumpster, and dumpster or no dumpster, we arent going ANYWHERE!" :)
Then, I wondered if someone planted them there or if they just grew there. I could see either happening. I mean, it would be like something I would do to plant flowers by a dumpster. But, of course, it would be like something God would do too!
I thought about those flowers by that dumpster all the way home. It made me reflect and think about how lots of times there are good things are sometimes mixed in with the bad things. Like the way I have met so many here I care about, even though having IC was part of the deal.
Would those flowers have been as beautiful without the contrast of the dumpster beside them? What would joy and happiness look like without pain and sorrow?
I think what moved me so much about those flowers is that they were growing and prospering where they seemingly had no right to grow or prosper. It made me think about the ICN and the people here, and that we seem to do the same. We prosper here together, with strength in numbers, just as the irises seem to understand. We are also made more beautiful by the ugliness that surrounds us. (After all, I dont know a soul who has IC that has not become a better and more compassionate person.)
If you ever come to visit me, I wont have the Grand Canyon to show you like some ICers could. I cant take you to see the Lincoln or Jefferson Memorials the way other ICers might. But, I CAN take you to see the the flowers by the garbage dumpster, and I doubt any of you have seen a more awe-inspiring sight!