Blooms for Alice

This is a special magnolia that survives the winters in Denver. The problem is, it blooms in our snowiest month of the year, March and more often than not, the buds freeze shrivel turn brown and drop to the ground. For 10 years my neighbor and friend Alice, has watched it with anxious anticipation and if it bloomed, she considered it a momentous event.

During a brief stay in the hospital, Alice unexpectedly died yesterday. Although we had spoken regularly and I had seen her Sunday, I never mentioned the magnolia blooming. But maybe it doesn't matter because I want to believe she is where the sun is shining brightly, the temperature is mild and the magnolias are always blooming and of course in the company of family and friends.

I already miss her and I will remember her and all our fond times together whether the magnolia blooms or not.