Rooted Kindness

choosing happiness relationships well-being

I was out walking this morning, when a huge collection of beautiful blooms stopped me in my tracks. They looked like pom poms! These softball-sized puffs of tiny white flowers looked almost like hydrangea, but the petals were a little bit different. They made me instantly smile when I saw them, so I decided I just had to capture them on camera! 

While I was taking photos, the homeowner pulled into the driveway. As she got out of her car, I assured her that I wasn't a creeper taking photos of her house; that I just loved her plant so much! We chatted for a few minutes about the flowers (called a Snowball Viburnum), and as we we wrapped up our conversation she said, "You know, if you'd like to root a clipping, you just feel free to come and get one whenever you're ready."

I thought that was the kindest offer--one that I wouldn't have even thought of (definitely on the rookie end of the gardening spectrum). What a powerful, physical example of what neighborly connection can do: spread (literal) beauty in huge, yet simple ways that can continue giving for years.