Lily Clove Bush

I am walking Sugar, happy to be out and about on such a lovely day. Suddenly I am overwhelmed by the most delightful fragrance. I am immediately transported to Easter and memories of flower laded altar slide through my mind. The Presbyterian church in Johnstown with its dark wood and cream stucco; the East Glenville Community church where Gram Appleby attended with its grey wood and pastel stained glass windows and weeping willows all about; the little white washed single room church in Esperance with its country bouquet of pussy willows and yellow forsythia sprays; the mega church in Del Rio with its massive balcony and sweeping platform - the memory of all those churches celebrating Easter, part of which was flooding the front with tulips, hyacinths and especially lilies came rolling over me as I inhaled the clovey sweet fragrance that curtained the air about me.

Where was it coming from? I looked about but there were no lilies nearby, not even any wild orange tiger lilies. Finally I spotted an unassuming little bush with thumb sized white flowers hanging here and there tucked into the greenery. Can this little bush be sending out all the wonderful smell? I bend down and inhale. Yes! It is exactly this timid little shrub that is so redolent. I squat down to enjoy its offering, touched by the waxy flowers and the deep green. Sugar stands very still as if she senses the specialness of the occasion. Together we thank the brave plant for sharing its beauty with the world.