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Writer's pictureJuli Henderson

Beautiful Things!


Those who know me, know that I absolutely love orchids! They are my favorite flower, and I am always in awe of their beauty.


When my children were young, I had a friend who enjoyed orchids as much as I did. We would purchase them together at a local greenhouse, sometimes with a child in our arms! We would enjoy our orchid purchases in our separate homes while they flowered, and then she would allow me to take them back to her beautiful greenhouse once their blooms fell. It was the kindest gift and always brought me joy to see their beautiful long-lasting blooms in my home, even amongst the piles of medical equipment.


Beautiful things can have ugly roots sometimes, much like the roots of orchid plants … or a diagnosis that seems to be void of anything beautiful in the beginning. But just looking at the spikes of blooms on an orchid plant, I see a kind of magnificent wonder that makes me almost forget the tangled mess at the base of the plant. It reminds me to consider that many complex medical diagnoses can be messy and complicated at the root, but the stunning growth that can come from the lives of individuals with disabilities is well worth the wait … and the view.


Considering that Mother’s Day was just celebrated for many, and you may have received orchids as a gift, I wanted to share some tips on how to care for them. People are often afraid of them since they require different care, but with a few simple steps you can enjoy these potted beauties for a long time.


To get the best tips, I stopped in to see my favorite florist, David Garcia, at his shop, No. 9 Floral - Chocolates - Gifts. He gave me some really great methods to care for orchids that will keep them blooming.


Two Key Tips from David:

  1. Water them with 2-3 ice cubes ONE time a week placed at the roots. Do not water the leaves or foliage. (Extra tip - In summer, you can add ice cubes TWO times a week, to stimulate root growth.)

  2. Once the blooms fall, trim the stems down 2 nodes and that will stimulate them to rebloom in 8-12 weeks!


That’s it! Nothing to be afraid of because we can do this! If you have orchids, I would love to hear from you, too. What tips have you learned in caring for them?


I encourage you this month to seek out the small things that bring you joy and relish in them. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and while I know it is hard to carve out big blocks of time for self-care when you are caring for others, we can all take little moments of respite to breathe, take in beautiful things, rest and recharge. I can't stress enough how important it is! It may just change your journey!


You are worth the beautiful things!


Listening Library: Something Beautiful (NEEDTOBREATHE)


“28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:28-29 NIV)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬


Something Beautiful

In your ocean, I'm ankle deep I feel the waves crashin' on my feet It's like I know where I need to be But I can't figure out, yeah I can't figure out


Just how much air I will need to breathe When your tide rushes over me There's only one way to figure out Will ya let me drown, will ya let me drown


Hey now, this is my desire Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful To touch me, I know that I'm in reach 'Cause I am down on my knees, I'm waiting for something beautiful Oh, oh, ohh something beautiful


And the water is risin' quick And for years I was scared of it We can't be sure when it will subside So I won't leave your side, no I can't leave your side


Hey now, this is my desire Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful To touch me, I know that I'm in reach 'Cause I am down on my knees, I'm waiting for something beautiful Oh, oh, ohh something beautiful Oh, oh, ohh something beautiful


In a daydream, I couldn't live like this I wouldn't stop until I found something beautiful When I wake up, and all I want I have You know I still won't have what I need Something beautiful


Hey now, this is my desire Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful To touch me, I know that I'm in reach 'Cause I am down on my knees, I'm waiting for something beautiful Oh, oh, ohh something beautiful Oh, oh, ohh something beautiful


Songwriters: Nathaniel Rinehart / William Rinehart

Something Beautiful lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp., Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.




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