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Surprising Things That Bring Joy
Have you ever wondered how to give joy? I have and here’s what I found.
Flower Bulbs
For Christmas, I gave my parents an amaryllis bulb kit. It was an impulse buy at a Farm and Fleet, and not their only gift — but one they could share. The kit caught my eye because it came with a large red vase, soil, bulb, and some sphagnum moss to help hold in the moisture.
I have a long history of working with bulbs at holiday time. From 2004–2019 I planted paperwhite bulbs with my garden club students. They each took home a bulb in a cup, with only perlite (no soil), and instructions on how to care for it. Little did they know, they were given a cup of joy, as well.
Joy for the students and my parents was in watching the bulbs grow, change, bud, and flower. Amaryllis bulbs produce large, colorful, showy flowers! One can’t help but be pleased when the bulb flowers — six to eight weeks after planting.
Joy for me was in teaching the students and my parents about the bulb’s life cycle, helping them both to plant the bulb and explaining how to care for it. I knew what a satisfying and joyful experience I was providing. That also gave me joy.
Joy comes in many ways and is provided by many things. To think a flower bulb could…
