I Give You My Sprig of Lilac

In the dooryard fronting an old farm-house near the white-wash’d palings,

Stands the lilac-bush tall-growing with heart-shaped leaves of rich green,

With many a pointed blossom rising delicate, with the perfume strong I love,

With every leaf a miracle—and from this bush in the dooryard,

With delicate-color’d blossoms and heart-shaped leaves of rich green,

A sprig with its flower I break.

…I give you my sprig of lilac.

from the poem “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” by Walt Whitman

A dear friend gave me this gorgeous bouquet of lilac sprigs this weekend. Oh, what a heaven-sent heavenly scent! Lilacs always remind me of my mama, who has been in heaven for 23 years now. And the bouquet reminded me how much I’ve missed having a common lilac bush the last three years since we moved into this house. And so, because it was Mother’s Day, we headed off to the farm supply store and found a lovely, blooming lilac bush all ready to plant.

Into the ground it went, just outside the kitchen window where I can see it and remember to set my mind on things above, not on earthly things, as I wash the dirty dishes.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” -Colossians 3:1-4 NIV

Thank You, God, for the lovely lilacs, for my dear friend who knew I needed them on Mother’s Day, and for the hope of heaven. Help me set my heart and mind on things above.