Ivy is special to me for several reasons. The most obvious reason is that they are difficult to kill. You can forget an ivy for a month, notice it looks wilty, neglect it for another week, water, and in hours, it is perky and full of life again. It is such a resilient little plant. If you do not have a green thumb, the ivy is your best friend.
When my family moved from Michigan to Texas, my mom brought her plants. And they survived. When I moved from Amarillo back to Houston, it was my ivy that best weathered the climate change and the twelve hour drive complete with spills and squashing.
My favorite thing about the ivy is their rebirth potential. Growing up, I always watched my mom’s ivy clippings in wonder. You can cut a portion of the ivy vine from the momma plant, set the clipping in water, and the tiny nodules on the vine will grow into roots. The longer you leave the ivy in the water, the longer the roots will become. Once the baby plant is rooted, you can pot it in soil to become a separate and new plant. One ivy can literally turn into an endless supply for your home, work, and friends.
The best way to make a new pot of ivy is to combine a couple of rooted clipping samples into one pot. When I moved home, I asked mom for one of her clippings. It is rare that she doesn’t have a rooting strand of ivy on her bar. I combined one of her clippings with one of mine to make a whole new pot that now lives at my school. For me, it symbolizes the deep roots that we have in the Pasadena school district. It seemed appropriate to have it there.
The ivy that I purchased two years ago in Amarillo has thrived. It has become a large and lush and vibrant plant. Since I’ve been in Houston, I’ve started two new plants from it and just clipped some new pieces tonight.
I feel as though my life in the last two years has mirrored my Ama-Ivy. I had a slow start, and some bumps and spills and squashings. But two years later, I’ve rooted and grown into a more bright and healthy me.
I’ve decided that I want to continue to be like an ivy. I want to be able to bounce back quickly from a period of drought. I want to continue to grow despite climate change and comfort level. I want to plant seeds in my kids that will root and grow. I think the ivy as role model is just the thing.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you."
John 15:1-3
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