Mini-Spot - Time to Care

Time to Care

00:01 

I walked into my back yard this morning and look what I saw.  Here was my poor little palm tree, wilted, and bent over.  This little palm tree has survived many challenges.  It arrived at my house in the back of a truck, leaves bending in the wind as it made its way from the plant store to my suburban home.  I loved this palm tree from the start, but I didn’t always remember to nurture it. Sometimes I forgot to water it. Luckily it survived.

00:29 
I kept the palm tree in a pot, allowing it to live but not grow.  It survived but did not thrive.  Eventually I had a change in my life, and the little palm tree accompanied me to a new home.  It was apparent that the tree could not do well, if it was bound by the roots and not allowed to move into different directions. I loved the palm tree and wanted it to do well. I planted it in my back yard, in the place where a cedar had been removed.  My little palm tree maintained status quo, but still did not grow well the first year.

By the second year in the ground, the leaves turned green, and the little palm tree looked like it had adapted to it’s new environment.  I gave it organic nutrients and made sure it received adequate water. 
 This palm tree loves the heat and did so well when we had the ongoing draught conditions this past summer.  We all react differently in changing environments.

01:27
Today I saw the palm tree and felt a twinge of regret as I realized I had failed to cover it during the winter to protect it from the cold.  We had reached temperatures in the -20-degree range, with freezing rain alternating to bitter cold winds and frost in recent weeks. Difficult conditions for any living person or living thing exposed to these elements.

I hope this plant survives.  I think it will, but it will bear the scars from my lack of attention.  It might come back, but it will never be the same.  The time that was lost when I was inattentive will affect it on the outside, and the inside.  

02:07
Relationships are the same. We take things for granted. Sometimes we get busy and forget to nurture what is around us. There is always hope.  Today I will find my burlap sack I’m going to cover the leaves.  Damage has been done and this plant might never be the same, but it’s always worth it to try for a better tomorrow.

Lindy’s Audio Cafe is created and produced by Linda Leverman, Audio Writer and retired Grammy.  Audio music and sound effects provided through licensed subscription. Reproduction of any part of the episode is not permitted, however sharing on social media with positive comments is always welcome.