Grief

---

The struggling tulip managed to make her way through the hardened ground. Her beauty had remained hidden and covered until the appointed time. She did not enjoy this dark place, but knew there was nothing she could do to change it. When the appointed time had come, an unforseen event of bitter cold and icy snow abruptly interrupted her joy. Sorrowful and weary, there was nothing to do but wait. Giving up would not be an option. Resolute in her decision, and unhindered by this untimely cruelty, she waited and remained content with what would be.

The child saw the tulip's bud barely visible above the hardened snow. Had she not taken the time to look carefully for this tulip that she had seen the day before, had the child not cared enough, the tulip's life would have been ended by the unapologetic wind and icy snow that threatened to sever the tulip's bud and end her life. The child took great care in removing the icy snow from around the tulip. Each day, she closely examined the tulip for signs of life. Soon, the sun's rays gently reached the tulip's heart and brought comfort. The warmth of love caused hope to begin again.

Someone cared.

As the days went on and the promise of spring pushed away the rude blanket of snow and ice, with gladness, the tulip opened her heart to the joy of loving and caring. The callousness of the wind had caused the tulip's gentle stature to bend forward. Seeing this, the child fastened a small dowel and gently tied the tulip's tender stem to keep her standing tall. There was nothing that could be done about the jagged cut on the tulip's side that almost broke her in two. Yet, the child was confident that given the right care and warmth, that soon, even the cut would heal and be a mere scar barely visible.

All throughout the season, the tulip gained strength. The child removed the dowel and the tulip stood strong. The bud, which was cautious to open up fully for fear of more damage, had done so with gladness and proudly revealed her colors of deep orange varigated with gold. The child had placed rich soil around the tulip and carefully kept the weeds from consuming her.

Someone cared.

And now, the season will soon change. The tulip had enjoyed the spring and early summer with such gladness, that she had forgotten the ways of nature. She would soon find changes that would touch her tenderness. There would be a time to endure a season of darkness once again.

Yet, the tulip was not afraid. For she knew that since she was rescued from the depths of sorrow that had tried to destroy her, someone had cared. And new strength would come again. And from season to season, the tulip would draw from the strength that had been provided that season. And she would face the next season with strength and certainty.

Because someone cared.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE