For Love Of Pansies

Pansies are one of my favorite flowers. My love of this velvety flower started when I was a child~ ~I remember planting pansies at school for our mothers and presenting this gift to my mom on Mother's Day. The joy she expressed stayed with me for many years. When she died at age 92 we had pansies at her funeral. They hold a special place in my heart and every year Joel gives me pansies for Mother's Day at my request. Here are photos of this year's bright colorful array! Aren't they beautiful?
The Pansies we grow today originated in England and were created by cross breeding several plants. They are ancestors of the viola and wild Pansy, and their name is derived from the french word, "penses" which means thought or remembrance. I have also heard them called "Hearts-ease", and that they are. A little tidbit for you: they are edible!

On a personal level, I have always been fascinated with how delicate pansies look, but how strong they really are. They have such narrow stems, I am amazed that they can hold up such a large flower. I have watched them droop and close down in a rain, or be blown around in the wind, but they come right back up and stand tall sharing their beauty with us again when the storms have passed. They are very resilient.

Of course I can't resist comparing these delicate but sturdy flowers to those who live with chronic illness or other challenges. We often have a delicate body and find ourselves blown around by the wind or bent over with the heavy rains that come into our lives....but with God's help we are able to be strong ~ sharing our own beauty ~ the gifts we are given and what we have learned on our journey ~ with others. We are resilient.