Bougainvillea Birthday

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Bougainvillea Birthday

July 6, 2012 by orvietoorbust

It was the summer of 1988. In commemoration of the birth of my son, I planted a small fuchsia bougainvillea in a planter just under our front window. The vine was scrawny and spindly, and the few flowers on it had fallen off, leaving only a sad green twig in the ground. I worried that this bougainvillea wouldn’t make it through the winter. Shortly thereafter we relocated across town, leaving the bougainvillea to fend for itself.

Last week on my way to meet a friend for lunch, I unexpectedly found myself in our old neighborhood and came upon our flat on Green Street. The exterior of the apartment hadn’t changed much over the years except for one thing…there was a luscious, gigantic bougainvillea climbing the side of the building. Amazingly, almost a quarter of a century later, this plant not only survived; it flourished.

Today marks the anniversary of the day, twenty-four years ago, when my son came into the world and when that little twig of a bougainvillea took root and began to grow. 1988 was a very good year for little boys and bougainvilleas.

by Toni DeBella

Posted in Expat in Italy, Italy, Orvieto, Travel, Umbria | Tagged 1988, Bougainvillea, Green Street San Francisco, home, little twig, nature, plants, travel | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on July 6, 2012 at 10:58 pm | Reply janinevasta

I love this little tribute Toni. You might be tempted to ask what it’s all got to do with Orvieto or Italy for that matter. But I understand all too well. Our children become the centrepiece and life takes shape around them. But it doesn’t mean we stop growing. Or dreaming. I hope Andrew had a most wonderful birthday. 24 is a great age. He is already blessed with una mamma favolosa! I’m sure he knows that. Bacioni…. Jxx
- on July 7, 2012 at 6:29 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Janine, I am really the one that is blessed with such a great son. I know Mirabella is your pride and joy too. As it should be…Italy is a close second. hugs.t
on July 7, 2012 at 1:16 am | Reply Lulu

What a lovely post!
Happy Birthday to your flourishing son
- on July 7, 2012 at 6:30 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Thanks LuLu…I will pass your well wishes along. Hugs.t
on July 7, 2012 at 4:08 am | Reply Cathy Powell

Gorgeous post Toni 🙂 Happy birthday to your son.
- on July 7, 2012 at 6:29 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Thanks Cathy, from Andrew.
on July 7, 2012 at 7:54 am | Reply Denise Blackman

Your heart must have felt so full when you first saw the bougainvillea! Happy Birthday to Andrew!
- on July 7, 2012 at 2:23 pm | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Denise….thanks. I don’t think I want to let Andrew (shy one) that strangers are reading about him and wishing him well. LOL. Hugs.t
on July 8, 2012 at 8:30 am | Reply Gail Willits

Hi Toni… I’ve really been enjoying your posts, but this was by far a heartfelt and beautiful storyline!!! Hope to see you soon…. g
- on July 8, 2012 at 8:44 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Thank you so much, Gail. This story was “just around the corner”. Funny how life is like that. Let’s try to get together soon. Hugs
  toni
on July 13, 2012 at 8:20 am | Reply lindyloumacinitaly

Wonderful 🙂
on July 15, 2012 at 2:08 pm | Reply Cecília

That is gorgeous!! Really beautiful….I LOVE the color! I’m sure you were so happy to see it that way.
Hugs, Cecília.
on July 31, 2012 at 1:14 pm | Reply annie2000

Wow it is beautiful , such a wonderful way to celebrate a birth, I am so happy that it survived 🙂
- on July 31, 2012 at 1:21 pm | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Hi,
  Thanks for stopping by. I am going to head to your blog as soon as I finish this writing job that has a deadline of two hours from now! Hugs. toni