Never Give Up—You Don’t Know What Surprise Awaits

A tiny life moment gives way to hope.

The Moment

Never give up on children or strangely blue orchids.

My son beamed as he walked into the house clutching a brilliant blue orchid. Touched by his thoughtfulness and unexpected gift, I smiled.

The inky cobalt tinge on the leaves gave the leaves and flowers a surreal color. Some growers decided to enhance nature’s beauty.

That didn’t matter. This tall young man thought enough to brighten my day with flowers. We’ve traveled a rocky road as he struggled through afflictions that threatened his well-being.

Through it all, he grew into a kind and generous man still marching to his own drumbeat. I continue to marvel at his resilience, compassion, and spontaneity — like bringing blue orchids.

Reflection

Inevitable Fate

Like most hot house plants, I expected this one to go the way of most other orchids, cyclamen, and delicate plants I received over the years. A short-lived life and a trip to the trash would seal the blue orchid’s fate. Give me a hardy ivy any day.

The unnatural blooms fell away, leaving only the blue-streaked leaves. The almost lifeless plant remained tucked away on the bathroom windowsill. I watered it occasionally. Cut off unruly air roots — and waited.

Usually, I would have just thrown the darn thing out. But this time, I could never entirely give up on the still bizarre colored leaves, wondering if we had misjudged the brilliant blue flowers. For some reason, I held onto hope.

New Life

Almost one year later, the first sign of buds gave way to beautiful white blooms. What appeared strange and unearthly emerged as proof of nature’s good taste.

Sometimes we create a façade not willing to show our true selves. Or we face circumstances that seem overwhelming, stretching beyond what we can imagine. Nothing seems possible. All doors look closed. But then, hidden beyond view, comes what lay beneath the surface all along.

Lesson in Hope

Was there a lesson to be found here? Kindness keeps hope alive. I watered. Sometimes I looked longingly and spoke words of encouragement to that hopeless plant. If I had given up, I would have missed the beauty of those flowers and the gifts in my son. Possibilities always await.

The store clerk who looks angry, distressed may need a kind word. Our colleague in the next cubicle may have given up on herself and her dreams. The child sitting alone, lost in his thoughts, feeling abandoned and worthless, needs someone to believe in him. To care. To have hope.

There is nothing particularly profound here, only a simple message, a quiet reminder that we all have the power to see possibilities and never give up on ourselves or others.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
— Marcel Proust

Takeaway

Don’t give up. You never know what lies within a broken system or a broken heart.

One small gesture. One quiet word. These can change the world. What will you not give up on today?