February 18, 2015
(This is part of a 365 project during my 70th year where I write and
illustrate a blog on each day's gift.)
This
is the time of the year when everyone begins to grow weary of weather, when “think
spring” becomes a mantra. Among one of the first signs of spring is the crocus,
often seen peeking through a snow-covered ground. It becomes a sign of hope
that spring is surely arriving soon after a winter of shivering and shoveling
sidewalks and driveways. I think the King George heather, botanical name Erica carnea King George, has the crocus
beat in terms of uplifting one’s spirits. This evergreen blooms all winter long
with its tiny pink and white flowers, reminding us not of the coming spring but
of beauty that can exist in the midst of chilly gray days. Every day as I enter
or leave the house, this plant lines the steps, a flowering reminder to look
for small examples of beauty in a larger dreary day.
I
wonder how the plant got its name. I could not find an answer but I did learn
that England’s King George IV visited Scotland in 1822 and received a warm
welcome from the Scottish people. Poet
Sir Walter Scott put on an extravaganza for the king, who was kept busy during
his visit and, at 60, showed great stamina. His visit to Scotland
strengthened its fragile bond with England. Scotland takes
great pride in its abundant heather. White heather is supposed to be
especially lucky since legend has it that it will only grow on ground where no
blood has been spilled. I don’t know if any of these dots can be connected but
I learned some history while searching for an answer.
Like
King George heather, there are hundreds of examples every day of small spots of
beauty: a smile from a stranger, a hug from a friend, a like on Facebook, a
well-worded phrase in a book, homemade matzo ball soup, the sun streaking
through Venetian blinds, a phone call from someone just wanting to say hello, a
kiss from my husband.
My gift today is King George heather
flowers poking through snow.
You can read my other posts on this project here:
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