if friends were flowers...

The saying goes, "If friends were flowers, I'd pick you."

I'd like to shake this saying up a bit.

I say, If friends were flowers, there would be annuals and there would be perennials. I think there would be those that are there for a single season, offering beauty and growth for a temporary time, and there would be those who root themselves in such a way that they cannot be removed.

I remember one of my first flower trips to Lowe's with my mother, as she taught me about annuals and perennials. You see, I had filled my cart with the most colorful, extravagant flowers... dreaming of how perfect they would look in my first garden. Only to find out that I had picked flowers that would only last the spring, and would never return again. I picked out annuals. I was initially frustrated by this, having spent time picking out colors that coordinated and heights that complimented. But soon realized that she saved me from the disappointment of my investment going into something entirely temporary.

I went back to the aisles, hunting down perennials. I had originally wanted to fill my garden with the most beautiful, unique plants. But now I wanted to fill my garden with plants that would stick around and surprise me by showing up as little buds, ready for a new show, after a long New Hampshire winter. So I kept a few annuals - recognizing that though they would only be there for a season, they would still be there for that season nonetheless. But the rest of my cart was filled with veronicas, asters, and peonies.

And thus blossomed my first garden.

Annuals are so important. They give and receive for a season. Their presence is crucial. Their gift is undeniably one of a kind. The memories and photos of them can and will always be treasured.

But perennials come back. No matter how barren the winter, how infrequent the rain, how scorching the sun. Perennials still show up, over and over again. Even when you don't want them. Even when you can't see them. They will always be there. They will always show up.

Therefore, if friends were flowers... there would be annuals. and there would be perennials.

ronnie