Sunday, October 28, 2007

a brief history of Martha

             
                                Martha and her clippings 

When I was about 14, my family was involved in a rather serious car collision.  My parents, my 80-year-old grandmother, a family friend, and I were heading home from a Christian concert at a church which was an hour and a half away from our town.  Our friend was driving us in her car.  We were almost home.  An out-of-state driver, unfamiliar with the area, ran a stop sign and we hit him broadside at 45 miles per hour.  It was late at night and none of us were wearing seatbelts.  My parents were in the front seat with our friend, my grandmother and I were in the back.  I was asleep at the time it happened.
 
Our friend was left unconscious with a concussion, my Mom had broken ribs, my grandmother's leg was broken, and my Dad's face shattered the passenger side of the windshield.  Except for a bloody nose, my Dad was amazingly uninjured.  I wasn't hurt at all, maybe because I had been asleep and was relaxed.  The car was a total loss.
 
My parents were treated and released at a local hospital; our friend recovered and was discharged after a few days.  But my grandmother was hospitalized for weeks with her leg in traction.  During this time she accumulated a number of potted plants sent by concerned family members.  I had the job of watering them when they were dry.  We visited her for several hours every night.  Our visits continued when she was transferred to a nursing home for a few months, where her leg slowly healed.
 
Eventually she came home again to live with us.  She gave all her plants to me; I kept them on a stand in my room.  The only one that survived any length of time was a small philodendron in a white glass ornamental container.  For reasons now forgotten, I named the plant Martha.
 
After my parents divorced when I was 17, my Mom and I found our way to Ohio, which became our new home.  Martha traveled with us.  I moved back to Pennsylvania after about a year in Ohio, but Martha stayed behind.  My Mom seemed amused by a plant that I had actually named, so she took good care of Martha over the years.  During 1999, my Mom and my stepfather drove east to visit me.  They brought clippings from Martha which I put in water for several weeks until they sprouted a good root system.  I then planted them in a medium-size pot of soil and hung Martha by a window.
 
Martha has hardly shown energetic growth.  My plant-withering thumb probably has a lot to do with that.  But during 2007 Krissy and I saw a little improvement in Martha:  some branching of her two single-strand vines which made Martha a bit more full in appearance.  Before we moved to our new apartment, we clipped Martha into sections and placed the clippings in water to again produce a root system.  Martha's clippings are now growing roots and soon we'll plant her in a soil-filled pot. 
 
Meanwhile my Mom moved to Florida, taking her part of Martha with her, and recently I found out that one of Krissy's friends wants to take part of Martha to Oregon.  This small 30-year-old philodendron may soon be growing around the country.  Who knows how far she may ultimately spread.
 
My grandmother passed away 25 years ago.  Maybe I'm just sentimental, but I see Martha as a small part of my grandmother's legacy.  I hope Grandmom is pleased with Martha's continuing life.   

19 comments:

  1. That is a great story and amazing.  It's like little bits and pieces of us that people we know take with us wherever we go.  'On Ya' - ma

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  2. Wow!  Martha is just like family!  I had an ivy planted in a pink ceramic planter that had been Mama's as far back as I can remember.  Some sleepwalker I married broke it one night.  I'm not much of  a green thumb.  Never got it to come back.  -Barbara
    http://journals.aol.com/bhbner2him/LifeFaithinCaneyhead/entries/2007/10/27/trick-or-treat-time/2358

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  3. John that is awesome... glad Martha is doing well :)
    hugs
    d

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  4. I think it's terrific that you've been able to hang on to Martha for so long!  It is like having a piece of your grandmother with you.
    Missie

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  5. Great story John. You grow Martha! Tammy

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  6. Oh, John, if it is possible ever, I would LOVE to have a piece of Martha.  I took wonderful care of her every time you and Krissy were out of town.  I love Martha, too.  LOL  Can you think about it?  LOL  Grow, Martha, grow!  Wonderful story... Love, Val xox
    http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason

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  7. What a wonderful story....I kill every plant I've ever tried to grow....I'm so jealous....LOL......June:)

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  8. (((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))))))))))))))Have a nice dya.

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  9. John I understand your feelings on "Martha" for sure.  My Mom passed away in 1971 and to this date I still have her plant, also one from my Sis Elaine and her son who passed in 1990 as I also have plants from other loved ones who passed. I cherish them and who they belonged too, they must know that and keep growing for me. Hope you are having a good day. Arlene (AJ)

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  10. I'm glad you have been able to keep Martha alive all these years, John.  You know I have a black thumb, LOL.  Why DID you name her Martha, LOL?

    Krissy :)
    http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink

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  11. What a wonderful story of Martha!!
    I have three plants that I received in a single pot when I graduated high school twenty five years ago that are now in three medium pots still growing away.....
    Linda :)

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  12. Nice story.     Martha is one hardy plant.     Dawn

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  13. I agree...what a nice thing to have to remember your grandmother.  I wish I lived closer, I'd want to have a little clipping of Martha at my house.   Linda in Washington state.  

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  14.     Okay, so I really like stories like that. Grandma's legacy and all. I have goosebumps.
    Jude
    http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay

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  15. What a lovely story!  I think Martha is doing great!!!  I can barely keep a plant alive for a year, John, so I think you have a very green thumb!

    be well,
    Dawn
    http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/

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  16. Martha and her clippings are beautiful!  The story about her is even more beautiful and very touching.  God bless you, Penny  http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/FromHeretoThere http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/TimeforaLittlePoetry

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  17. That is absolutely amazing.  What a green thumb!
    Kathy

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  18. Wow..that's an amazing story! I'm sure your Grandmom is pleased. No doubt.
    Pam

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  19. what a beautiful story!
    Becky

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