Grandma's African Violet

When my husband and I got married and moved into our first apartment, my grandmother gave us an African Violet as a housewarming gift.  

As she handed the little purple flower to me, I was a bit dismayed.  I'm pretty hopeless when it comes to keeping plants alive.  I figured by the next time she came to visit it would be dead. She assured me that African Violets are a hardy plant and easy to care for.  Apparently she had more faith in my horticulture skills than I did.

That was 24 years ago.  Not only is it still alive, but it blooms regularly and is as beautiful as the day she gave it to us.  Other than each other, it's one of the few things we have from our newlywed days.

We have replanted it over the years, and I have to confess that I let my husband take care of it most of the time, since his thumb is much greener than mine.  Several times we thought it wasn't going to make it, but in the end it always lives to bloom another day.

My grandmother passed away suddenly almost eight years ago.  Every time I look at my African Violet sitting in the kitchen window, it reminds me of her.

I miss you, grandma.  Thanks for having so much faith in me.

Linking up with Thursday Favorite Things