bowing out

  

I've been watching the evolution of this big bouquet of flowers now for over a week. It's brought me such joy just by it's being here; each stem boasting it's own unique bloom, lifting my spirits and offering such inspiration. Yellows, oranges, burnt umber, coral, kelly green and sage (to name a few) have all offered well needed bursts of happy.

But as time passes, so too do the vibrant colors, supple shapes and strong stems. One by one, these flowers are fading. Never being one to overlook beauty in even the most unexpected places, I have been in reverie of the fade. As each stem begins to weaken, petals drop and leaves dry. But still, there is so much dignity left, even in the process of wilting.

I find that i cannot bear to toss the whole lot out at the same time. Instead, I carefull watch and wait and pull the dead flowers out one at a time. Some last much longer than others and I am determined to enjoy each one as each takes it own sweet time to cycle through it's short yet brilliant life.

I have my own way of honoring these beautiful blooms as they bow out before my eyes. I observe. I acknowledge. I celebrate. I nod and say thank you. For the gift they have offered. For living so bold. So beautiful. And for doing the same all the way to the end.

Show us a celebration today. Something that reveals the process, the life cycle, in whatever phase it might be in. Share the beauty you see.

Comments

[Lisa]

Lovely! So beautifully captured and written.

[Bridget]

wonderfully beautiful and well said!

[Jennifée]

Oh, beautifully written.

Lilacs are a particular favourite of mine; so short-lived, and so pretty even as they fade.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85057042@N00/4709366817/

[Karin van D.]

What a beautiful post. Thank you.

[Kat]

I love your description, I didn't even need to see the image to have a wonderful visual.

This image is not of a part of the cycle, but I saw a cycle in the clouds that inspired me:
http://www.kateyeview.com/2010/12/spiral-of-creativity.html

[Misty]

Life cycles are very evident on a farm. But the beginnings are best.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/4687556043/in/set-72157623860172392/

[Blue Pine Mountain]

This so expresses what I feel right now as two elderly ladies I know have just been put on Hospice. Your words fit perfectly for these two beautiful blooms. As you have said, " I observe. I acknowledge. I celebrate. I nod and say thank you. For the gift they have offered. For living so bold. So beautiful". Thank you Blue Pine Mountain - Picture Winter class

[Dotti]

No photos to post since I'm at work, but I had to comment. Not only do I do the same thing, Tracey, with regards to plucking out the spent blooms one by one, but that's a task that's waiting for me when I get home from work. Now I'll have to stop and photograph the process! :D

[Kathy]

What a beautiful thought. So true.

Two things.

One, the beauty of my husband coming home for the first time in almost 2 months after a stroke:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrssoup/5347781788/

And two, the beauty of new life and older. A great grandmother meeting her great granddaughter for the first time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrssoup/5341447710/

[spread your wings]

ok it's old but this is the best i have of life cycle
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/3488200047/in/set-72157623296076521/

[AnnGeeDee]

I stood in the snow, thinking of how these flowers, even in their faded brittle state, still looked regal. My photo does not do their beauty justice: http://www.flickr.com/photos/anngeedee/4364289030/in/set-72157623122903804/

[Puna]

We had an ice storm that came and went quickly but I was able to capture some of it's effects while it was here.

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2011/01/january-24-marachino-cherries/

[Kathleen O.]

My confused Christmas cactus...in January. Late bloomer: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/5377955399/

[Chelsea C]

I love this moment I caught recently of a mother and daughter walking down the street. Loved the way the little girl was leading the mother which such purpose, but even though there is such an age difference, I know that the bond between a mother and daughter is so special...and shows the life cycle in the terms of age.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelscham/5350374895/in/set-72157625725991226/

[Lori Sanders]

Butterflies live such short lives but bring such beauty for us to enjoy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanderwood/4776591822/in/photostream/

[shirley]

I totally agree - beauty in every stage of life.
http://www.shirleybehindthelens.com/2011/01/past-its-prime.html

[Betty Thompson]

Thank you for your beautiful words on the cycle of life.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterbugmuse/5238943602/

[Betty Thompson]

Thank you for your beautiful words on the cycle of life.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterbugmuse/5238943602/

[tara]

This is a shot I took during Picture Fall -- one I probably would not have taken without being prompted by you, Tracey, but it is a favorite.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/impossibletask/5070785874/in/set-72157624979712189/

[Cyndi]

Wow, this is EXACTLY what I feel lately. My word for the year is transform. I juggled between, evolve too, and this touches on exactly what I've felt. I love the photo, I've been trying to find a way to photography " transform".
I felt limited trying to find something that shows the entire process. However, this makes perfect sense, capture the process, which is the reality of the word.

[Cyndi]

Here is my version of 'life, phase 1" http://www.flickr.com/photos/57548773@N06/5386238861/

[Beth]

I found these orange tulips even more beautiful as the petals started to shower my kitchen floor -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14632491@N07/5193544248/in/photostream/

They reminded me of a song by Pat Green called "Baby Doll."

[rawqueen]

I have loved all the flowers shots lately. Thank you for your gentle portrayal and description of letting go. Here is a photo revealing some aspect of my weekly cycle. Mondays are always about manifestation for me.
http://somethingblu.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/manifest-monday-the-key-to-change/

[rawqueen]

Oh yeah, I forgot to add this one. It's is still my favorite picture of the "growing process"
http://somethingblu.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/grow-love/

[lifeineden]

Oh I know just how you feel! I bought flowers nearly 2 weeks ago and was so disappointed when they finally faded. Inexpensive mums and such last the longest and still give wonderful joy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32837589@N07/5354951509/

[blue elephant photography]

i love mums and gerberas. or i'm not a big rose fan. i celebrate life! i am happy =)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueelephantphotography/5394968734/