Shutter Sisters

bowing out

By

  

I’ve been watching the evolution of this big bouquet of flowers now for over a week. It’s brought me such joy just by it’s being here; each stem boasting it’s own unique bloom, lifting my spirits and offering such inspiration. Yellows, oranges, burnt umber, coral, kelly green and sage (to name a few) have all offered well needed bursts of happy.

But as time passes, so too do the vibrant colors, supple shapes and strong stems. One by one, these flowers are fading. Never being one to overlook beauty in even the most unexpected places, I have been in reverie of the fade. As each stem begins to weaken, petals drop and leaves dry. But still, there is so much dignity left, even in the process of wilting.

I find that i cannot bear to toss the whole lot out at the same time. Instead, I carefull watch and wait and pull the dead flowers out one at a time. Some last much longer than others and I am determined to enjoy each one as each takes it own sweet time to cycle through it’s short yet brilliant life.

I have my own way of honoring these beautiful blooms as they bow out before my eyes. I observe. I acknowledge. I celebrate. I nod and say thank you. For the gift they have offered. For living so bold. So beautiful. And for doing the same all the way to the end.

Show us a celebration today. Something that reveals the process, the life cycle, in whatever phase it might be in. Share the beauty you see.

Comments

  7. This so expresses what I feel right now as two elderly ladies I know have just been put on Hospice. Your words fit perfectly for these two beautiful blooms. As you have said, " I observe. I acknowledge. I celebrate. I nod and say thank you. For the gift they have offered. For living so bold. So beautiful". Thank you Blue Pine Mountain – Picture Winter class

  8. No photos to post since I'm at work, but I had to comment. Not only do I do the same thing, Tracey, with regards to plucking out the spent blooms one by one, but that's a task that's waiting for me when I get home from work. Now I'll have to stop and photograph the process! 😀

  20. Wow, this is EXACTLY what I feel lately. My word for the year is transform. I juggled between, evolve too, and this touches on exactly what I've felt. I love the photo, I've been trying to find a way to photography " transform".
    I felt limited trying to find something that shows the entire process. However, this makes perfect sense, capture the process, which is the reality of the word.