Of Dahlias and Adversity

I have planter boxes around the rails of my back deck, six altogether. Each year, I fill them with annuals knowing that perennials won't survive our winters unprotected by the insulating earth. In the fall, I try to take them to the basement, but I don't always get them down before the first snow. Sometimes, they are out all winter.

Last year, my husband and I were able to get them down to the basement, but not until after the first frost. As I said, the boxes were filled with annuals, so I didn't expect to save them.

When we brought them up this spring, the plants were deader than a door nail. Crunchy and brown, almost gray, like the leaves that fall off of trees in autumn. On a whim, I decided to put some of the bulbs in some soil. Much to my surprise, the dahlias are growing!

Lush and green, with no buds yet, the foliage is as healthy as it was last year when I bought them! I was really surprised that they actually grew!

I also bought a few annuals to put in my bigger garden last year, just so I'd have continuous color. Last winter was one of the coldest on record, with the average temperature of -427 degrees and the real feel was about -600. Needless to say (but yea, I'm gonna say it anyway), it was verrrrry cold.

I was even MORE surprised to see an annual come back in that front garden! If you saw my snowflake blog post, the photo of all the snow was directly on top of that garden. Yes, I realize snow is an excellent insulator, but I don't know how it's possible to insulate against the bone-chilling winter we had. What's more, I believe it was a four pack or six pack of the same plant, but only one came back. I wonder what the difference was from plant to plant that they all didn't return, and what gave this particular plant that extra oomph to come back.

If those “lowly” plants can make a seemingly magical return, in light of their adversity, what's stopping us from being that powerful?

Nature consistently mystifies, surprises and captivates me. Nature is all around, even in the middle of a city...you just have to be open enough to perceive it. Go let yourself find some awe today, and be awesome!

Okay, that was bad, even by my low standards.

Find one inspiring thing today, one thing that makes you happy. It's not that difficult if you make a mindful effort. You can be pleasantly surprised, if you let yourself. I'm going to try to be the dahlia.