The first visit to the Kew Royal Botanical gardens in 1983 and a visit to the Botanical garden in Ooty the same year, planted an interest in me in flowers to go beyond the initial impression of their colour, aroma and aesthetic appearance. A flower since then, has been a symbol of life to me. From the time the earliest sign of a bud appears in a plant and the petals of a flower fall off to join the soil, its journey is a metaphor of life. It is similar in humans, from conception to final departure and burying the mortal remains in the soil, when life became breathless at our home call, life has been a journey of purposeful living.
The candles became another metaphor of life to me a few years later. It happened while attending a retreat. The retreat leader would light the candle at the beginning of each session. He introduced the candle to be a metaphor of our life. God lights ours soul with His presence because of which we can shine to give light to others!
It was out of these experiences, Anna and I have started having vases with flowers from our garden in our drawing room and lighted candle at meal times.
Both these refer to the gift of life, during which we are called to live self-givingly. The flower offers fragrance and nectar and the candle gives light and warmth!
Yesterday, Dulcie struggled to remain composed when the sound of bursting crackers in the neighbourhood disturbed her. She wanted to be held, stroked and comforted. She appeared to settle down only when Anna had her on her lap for a while. Even a pet dog, feels disturbed by something different from the usual.
How much more will be the travails of ordinary people to endure the circumstances when they negotiate amidst a societal mindset of favouring those who matter positionally!
Now that both Anna and I have crossed our mid seventies, our longing is to live our lives with a giving heart!
Flowers and candles give...!
Plants are habituated to give...!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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