A PROLIFERATION OF POPPIES

Proliferation : a large number of something

When I looked out of our bedroom window into the garden, as I do most mornings when I get out of bed, I was struck by the large number of poppies in our garden and having been away for almost a month, I was so pleased that they had waited to bloom. As I stood there, the words "proliferation of poppies" came into my head and I thought it was a good title for a blip!

So here are our beautiful poppies - just three of them, but there are at least another 25 in bloom at the moment, with at least that amount and perhaps more to come - what a blessing, especially on a dull and grey June day!

These came originally from Mr. HCB's parents' garden, where they were tended lovingly, so when his mother died and the house was eventually sold, the only plant we wanted from the garden was the poppy. We remember Mr. HCB's parents with great love and affection and often speak about them, but particularly when the poppies begin to bloom. His mother would be so pleased to see this display of poppies in our garden, and the original plant has been split many times and therefore gives us added pleasure every time the new plant flowers.

Mr. HCB senior was the vegetable grower, having a wonderful allotment, which kept them well supplied with vegetables and soft fruit, as well as a greenhouse, but Mrs. HCB senior was the flower grower and the "bonfire queen" - after a day spent in the garden she liked nothing better than lighting a "bonnie" at the bottom of the garden and keeping it well stoked. Of course, with the Clean Air Act, and a dwindling interest in gardening by many young people because of their busy lives, this is not done now, but how well I remember seeing her with a long stick, poking the bonfire into life when she thought it had gone out. It was nothing for her to go out into the garden when it was dark, just to make sure that it had dampened down and wouldn't flare up in the night. Such wonderful memories!

And of course, that all got me thinking, as these memories often do - I spoke the other day about being in the right place so that we can bloom well. Sometimes we have to be "poked" or encouraged by someone or something to make sure we are still alive and well, and how beneficial it is when a good friend does that to us - it can sometimes be uncomfortable, but often, once that has been done, we burst into life again and we can then continue to bless others.

So - do you need a "poke" from someone - or do you need to do that to someone else? It's OK to ask someone to help you get on the right path - because sometimes we do lose our way in this busy world.

In about half an hour I am taking my young friend, Rachel, out for coffee and cake - to encourage her after her exams - and I have no doubt she will bless and encourage me, as she always does!

“Encouragement is the most effective way
to change someone’s behaviour.
When you see the best in them
you encourage them to become that
and they will want to live up to your high opinion of them.”
Kimberly Giles