The Empty Pot

After carrying these seeds in my wallet for the last year and a half, I finally decided to plant them. My family moved to California over the summer. This has been a long time coming decision, as my husband has been commuting every other weekend from San Fran to AZ since June of 2012.  This is our third move in 5 years when our home foreclosed on us in the spring of 2009. It was shortly after that, the plant that was in this pot from our very first home died and our marriage struggles began. In the fall of 2010 I lost my childhood friend, and then a year and a half later, Shannon. Shortly after Shannon my husband moved to the Bay area after struggling to find work in Phoenix. The empty pot moved from house to house with us and then finally to California where my marriage after a long year apart has started to heal.  Nikki Rollier gave me these seeds in April of 2012 after I missed Shannon's services. I have stared at this pot since that day at the cemetery with Nikki with every intention to plant Shannon's seeds in it. But it wasn't until I knew I was moving to California and our family would be together again that I felt the time was right to plant them in that empty pot. Two weeks ago I did just that and on my tenth wedding anniversary last Wednesday the first little sprout emerged from the soil. This pot with these seeds is symbolic to me in so many ways. It not only keeps Shannon's memory alive, it keeps my friend Diana Sciola alive, and breathes life into my marriage for me. Shannon was always looking out for everyone's best interest and she is still up there looking out for mine. I love you Shannon.