I remember my first plant. It was a peace lily that I got from my mother’s funeral in 2009. I wasn’t interested in plants during that time. I just wanted one because it came from my mom’s funeral. During that time we moved a lot, so I didn’t end up taking care of the plant very well, and it died.
A few years later, after my husband and I got together, my mother-in-law would always give me plants. She would say, “Rissa, don’t take my plant if you’re going to let it die.” But it would always die. Plants just weren’t my thing.
But then we lost my mother-in-law. After her funeral I took a peace lily home. That plant meant everything to me. I named it after my mother-in-law, who was affectionately called Blondie Kay. I made sure I took care of that plant like it was one of my children.
After caring for her for so long I grew to love plants and wanted more. I ended up with several before our house burned down. And I loved them all. Watching your plants grow is like watching your children grow.
When our house burned down we were in temporary housing for about seven months. I didn’t want to start back with plants without being in my own home. After we bought our new house I jumped right back into it. I bought a lot more plants and named a few of them after people I love. I’ve even turned our guest room into the “plant room.”
It brings me so much joy watching my plants grow. Every time I walk into the room and I see a new leaf I get excited. It’s like watching your kid take their first step. Even the air in that room is different. I get some of the best sleep in there. Being a plant mom has helped me with my grief journey as well. Whenever I’m feeling down I go into that room and my feelings just change.
Never in a million years did I think I would ever be into plants. But having them has brought me so much joy. I look forward to caring for them and watching them grow as I do my children.
