The cosmos in a feathered shadow

My father always grew cosmos in his summer garden. He would proudly bring a bouquet into the house and my mother would display them on our kitchen table in the same small glass vase each summer evening.

Although both my parents are gone, I still have the vase. And each summer I grow the cosmos of my childhood.

The name cosmos comes from the Greek and has two distinct meanings. One is “an ordered universe.” The other is “ornament.” I fancy that my modest cosmos flowers bring order to a universe that is often in need of ornament!

We have what we seek.
It is there all the time,
and if we give it time,
it will make itself known to us.
~Thomas Merton~