Gift of fragrance

On my doorstep yesterday, I discovered a gift from a dear friend. She was thinking of our family, and the funeral that took place yesterday for my granddaughter's boyfriend of 3 years, and she wanted me to have a fragrant plant that she knows I love: daphne.

Not only is the fragrance of daphne sweet and strong, but it lingers and spreads. Now my balcony 'garden' is being renewed: as the tulips pass their best, the daphne sits between them.

Fragrance carries the energy of love so directly. It's amazing how comforting this sweet smell is, on a day when life seems terribly sad.

Your joy is your sorrow

unmasked.

And the selfsame well

from which your laughter

rises was oftentimes filled with tears.

Kahlil Gibran