Reflections On This Birthday

For some reason in my family the Christmas cactus has always been present.  My mother had some when I was growing up.  Every year we would go to Thanksgiving lunch at my cousins house and she always had the largest and most beautiful cacti.  She had them in varying colors. My Great Aunt always had some in her home too.  My sister has a very large cactus that I think was grown off a cutting of one of Moms.  

I purchased some from stores over various years, but could never seem to get them to grow, or bloom, so I would give up.  Then about 4 to 5 years ago, I bought one at Kroger, on a whim and decided to try my hardest to keep it alive.  I bought it when it was in full bloom, and within days the beautiful flowers had all dropped off.  I read that this happens when there is a sudden change in their environment.  I kept it alive and the next year little buds grew, but never opened up.  It moved with us to our new house and I kindly put it behind my kitchen sink.  I am there every day and I always look at it and think of Mom and the other strong women in my family.  

Since it got its new home behind my sink, it has bloomed every year.  It however, does not bloom around Thanksgiving or Christmas like it is supposed to.  It graciously saves its blooms for my birthday. Today on my birthday, the first bloom opened up and greeted me this morning.  I think of it is a little birthday present to me from Mom and the plant itself.