In November 2018, I planted approximately 75 dark pink tulip bulbs in my front yard garden to honor the memory of my sister, Karen, whose favorite color was pink as well as the memory of my mother, whose favorite color was red. The odds were in my favor that a few would bloom — and surprisingly (given my black thumb) most did in Spring 2019.
Because tulips are perennials, I hoped my tulips would bloom again in Spring 2020 — and they did!
I was thrilled and fancied myself quite the gardener for cornering the market, so to speak, on these bulbs. About five centuries earlier, tulips had been the root of one of the most famous market bubbles and crashes of all time. It occurred in Holland when speculation drove the value of tulip bulbs to extremes. At the height of the market, the rarest of tulip bulbs traded for as much as six times the average person’s annual salary, with some bulbs worth $750,000 in today’s money. Every time I looked at my tulips, I felt rich with success.
But then my market crashed. In January of this year, my home cooperative installed new windows, new doors, new siding, etc. on my townhome, and in the process, the equipment and contractors trampled my tulip garden. I was hopeful that some of my tulips would survive the devastation and waited for Spring. Would any tulips actually emerge? Would any demonstrate that no matter how much the darkness crushes you, you eventually see the light? I added soil. The plot thickened.
But alas, it was not to be. Spring came and my tulips did not.
But wait! There it was — in the center left of the above photo — ONE SMALL EMERGING TULIP BLOOM! I knew from research that pink tulips symbolize happiness and confidence, and this one tulip was out to prove it. Oh, how she grew on me! She had bloomed even though darkness had engulfed her.
Every time I stepped outside over the last couple of weeks, I checked on my tulip teacher. This is what she looked like yesterday:
As you can see, she is past her bloom. But look carefully at the above photo. Check out the bug on my tulip’s stem and the three green bugs under the right petal (one larger than the barely-detectable other two). Has my tulip become home to an entire green bug family? Is she showing her gratitude for seeing the light of day by providing shelter? Is she paying it forward? Will I see her again next Spring? Who knows, but until then, you grow, girl!
The tenacity of my one tulip represents the spirit of my oldest sister as she painstakingly and patiently oversees taking care of my aging father. And . . . today is her birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LAUREN!
Compare my front porch area in 3rd photo in this post with the 5th photo, and you’ll get a “before/after the home improvement” comparison, new siding, new door, etc.
Since the 5th & 6th photos were taken, I have mowed and trimmed the front lawn as well as weeded and added top soil and planted new perennials in my front garden plot. In the process, I found about two dozen dead tulip bulbs. The others probably ran away from home. Those contractors soiled it all!
What a brave hardy strong little tulip. She got through the pandemic and is leading the way for us all. Love hearing her story and Happy Birthday Lauren.
Thanks for your comment, Charlotte. The tenacity of my little tulip has meant a lot to me this Spring season for many reasons which you know about. We soldier on. xoxo
Your house looks great! Did you get to choose the color of the siding and the white door? Next year the remaining tulips might bloom again — hang onto hope!
Thanks, dear Wendy.
Yes, I chose the color of the siding and the white door is actually to an outdoor closet. The color I chose for my front and back doors is a mohave red. Adrienne helped me with my color palette (green siding, red door, etc.), i.e., so I could choose which brown color to paint the front porch and garbage bin (which is not pictured). I also chose this brown color because it matched the sculpture of an “elk woman” running which sits on my front porch.
There is a new front door mat that says, “Welcome” which helps to offset my new front door sign which says, “DO NOT DISTURB. I’m disturbed enough already.” Seriously. It. Says. That.
Your brave little tulip strengthened my heart today. Paul planted tulips in our back yard years ago. Not one has been brave enough to bloom during this spring of never ending snow showers. But, this week, we’ve had soaking rain. After seeing your tulip, I went to check on ours and indeed there are tiny blossom buds beginning to emerge. Of course, the possibility of snow is in the forecast for next week!
Oh, Beth — please send a photo of those tiny blossom buds! They will strengthen my heart, like mine did. xoxo