Amy Lilley Designs: Columbine Angel...

When we lived in Rhode Island, a friend gave me some plants from her vast garden to replant in the front of our home. One of these plants was a Columbine. The flowers are so delicate, as you can see from this pic I took on a late summer afternoon in 2008. I did not know, at the time, that Columbine is the state flower for Colorado. Isn't that something?? Discovered in 1820 on Pike's Peak by mountain climber Edwin James, the Rocky Mountain Columbine (Columbine Aquilegia caerulea) is a lovely flower with a rich aroma to attract bees, hummingbirds and butterflies to it's nectar. The Latin word aquila means "Eagle" and refers to the claw-like spurs at the base of the flower. Columbines bloom in pastel shades of blue, violet, red, yellow and white. Looking back, we were always given a clue, if you will, about where we might wind up. God always had/has something up His sleeve. When the Columbine massacre took place in 1999, Edward was in 4th grade and we were living in Mt. Vernon, NY. I so clearly remember the fear and horror unleashed that day. Every parent holding their babies, no matter how big or small, just that much closer. How do you explain this darkness to a 9 or 10 year old? Anywho, fast forward to 2012, and lo and behold, this beautiful, delicate angel of a flower is now my state flower. The plant stayed in Rhode Island, hopefully gracing the new owners w/ its presence come Spring.

In a gazillion years, I never, ever imagined that I would set foot in Columbine or Littleton. (Littleton became widely known when the Columbine massacre occurred at nearby Columbine High School. News media reported that the incident happened in the city,because the school’s ZIP code is primarily associated with Littleton.) As it turns out, the woman I am seeing for grief counseling has one of her offices in Littleton. This is where we meet. A couple of weeks ago, we had some errands to run, and were running a bit early. Upon asking 'Siri' for information, we went to the nearby city of Columbine. Again, so far from anything I could have imagined. Once the errands were complete, we drove around Columbine. It is beautiful, w/ the Rockies and foothills so close, the rolling hills, the big Colorado homes, the open spaces. We were silent as we took it all in. When I saw my counselor, I told her about what had just transpired. She then shared w/ me that she counseled some of the 'Columbine parents'. I just shook my head @ the unfathomable grief these parents must have been going through. But, I have this, the angel-like Columbine flower to remind me always of the true meaning of Columbine.

'The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.'

Genesis 2:8-9

Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Knowledge-Of-Good-And-Evil#sthash.1NzyD1U8.dpufThe LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. 9Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Post script: Even tough I am seeing a grief counselor, does not mean I am walking around sad and grieving. That's is not who I am. But, it does mean that I am doing the work involved to release the grief...