How to Thrive - a Post for Plants and People

The Thanksgiving cactuses are sprouting new growth right now - fresh green as the daylight begins to shorten. They are getting ready to form buds in anticipation of winter blooms. Last year one of my plants - the orange one - only had a single lonely bud and bloom. It was the first year it was bloomless, while the other granny plant burst into a cacophony of huge magenta flowers. Then another, a pink Easter cactus, just about died because I loved it way too much.

Each plant needs its own unique care, light, water, soil, pot size, and food. Some grow easy. Some grow hard. They are not unlike my children who were all such different personalities. As a mom, I had to learn how each communicates, how each learns, what each loves to eat and then somehow keep them all alive. It's truly a miracle that they survived being raised by such an amateur.

My point is, if you are the caregiver, be gentle, be attuned to the life form you are caring for, and don't forget to talk, pray, and sing around them. I promise, if you do this, they will try to thrive. I believe every living thing knows when someone is loving it, whether plant, animal, or human.

If you are the one being cared for, receive your care with grace and forgiveness for mistakes made with love.

Chris Tracy is an author and a grandma who loves life. Find her books on Amazon and at www.christinetracy.com