We tend to write off the late bloomer or Ugly Duckling too quickly. Sometimes we even dismiss the potential of our staff with just one question or a message. It is truly deplorable, for I have come across many an instance that hidden treasures are often in disguise.
Courtesy of Paul Titangos Photography
Nineteen years ago, we moved ourselves, along with some gladiola bulbs,
across the street to our new house and planted them along the sidewall.
After Paul had cleared all of the sidewall path where purple iris and
calla lilies used to reside, a green plant shot out next to our
side-door step this spring. It looked like a unwanted thick weed growing
not straight up but sideways. For some reason, we left it alone. Partly
because of our sympathy for oddballs or physically challenged
creatures. Partly because of our being burned-out by too much growth
around us after the wet winter and spring. Surprisingly, the sideways
plant has started to bloom since last week. It turns out to be a
pink-white-yellow gladiola, one of the bulbs planted nearly two decades
ago! Despite years of anonymity, it is blooming anyway.
I cannot help but think how close we came to killing a beauty, just because of its ordinary, even distressed, appearance. Such an instances are abundant in our life. Take for example our adoption of Chippy, a kitten weeded out by both her original owner and future adopters, due to two strikes against her: a runt's drowsiness and white fur, which could be a problem for white cats. No one would have anticipated that she made it to Baker & Taylor's 2014 cat calendar.
The sojourn on the earth is short and limited for everyone, and every living thing. We should not deprive them of opportunities to grow to their full potential, because of differences. Give an alley flower or animal a chance; the late bloomer or Ugly Duckling might contribute to society more than we dare to think
.
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