For Valentine’s Day, Maria gave me an Amaryllis plant. I have never heard of it, of course, and paid little attention to it until this week, when it began to bloom in the living room window. Every day, Maria, who is the most nurturing human I have ever known, checked on the plant, watered it, talked to it, moved it into the light. When love blooms, it is a fusion of color and light and meaning that brushes against the soul and touches the spirit, softening it and opening it up.

Today, this flower has so much meaning for me, as it symbolizes the light that has come into my life. God gave us all the creative spark, and once it is light, there is no turning back. It is everywhere.