Waiting for Lilies

Our flower bed is springing to life, slowly but surely. An undernourished Knock Out Rose bush grows in the corner with the promise of new buds in sight. Lavender Clematis-like flowers are crawling up a tiny pole nearby. The tulips and the hyacinth have faded now. The tiny hydrangeas haven’t yet graced us with much life. Bright green ivy has made its way through the hard dirt and threatens to takeover everything in its path. A hedge of monkey grass vows to protect and preserve the bed’s inhabitants, though small birds and squirrels mockingly scurry in from time to time. Last spring, I had planted a garden here mixed with carrots, green beans that climbed up long trellises, and squash, among other plants and flowers.

By mid-summer, the garden looked like a unruly wonderland of living plants. Just as we approached the harvesting season, the landscapers for our complex came and mowed everything down. I am sure it must have taken a good bit of hard labor to clear out the flower bed. Dry dirt and a few small barren branches of the rose bush were all that stood in our once vibrantly colored bed. Phone calls were made and apologies expressed. The landscaper sent an employee out to try to replace some of what was destroyed, but I knew it was too late in the season to expect any succulent vegetables or beautiful petals to grow to maturity and withstand the summer heat.  Among the garden casualties that fateful day were a half dozen or so lilies. White Easter lilies had once mingled with deep red Asiatic lilies in a formerly undisturbed plot of ground outside our window. Being perennials, lilies have a way of resurrecting each spring.  Today, five or six stems and leaves stand tall with green buds waiting to unfurl their beautiful petals. Waiting on lilies.

            Tuesday, April 24^th at 2:00 p.m. Lily Anastasia McKinney is scheduled to be born via C-section.  I want to hold her, to kiss her head, to stare at her for hours. I look forward to seeing her in her daddy’s arms and watching his heart melt while observing his tiny little girl’s sweet hands, feet, and face. We won’t know much about what steps the doctors will need to take towards mending her heart until they get a better look after she is born. So today, we wait in eager expectation for Lily’s arrival. We wait for spring to bring forth a beautiful new bloom. The most miraculously beautiful Lily we have ever seen is on her way. God prepare our hearts, our souls, and our minds for the journey ahead. Teach us how to love and honor you in our waiting. Thank you lilies. Thank you for our Lily.