"a poem as lovely as a tree."

 Welcome to the middle of January, Midwest style. Outside, there are the remnant piles, left from the latest snow storm, lining the edges of our driveway. Spring is a distant hope. Christmas ornaments and artificial greenery have been stashed away in closets, until next year. By now, most folks have pitched their dead or dying, foil encrusted, hot-house Poinsettias, into post-holiday trash sacks.

Our living room still sports a tree. We can say that because of its woody stem and its 3 foot height. All of this greenery now emanates from the once spindly little plant, which was given to us, over a year ago. We haven't figured how to dispose of our rapidly growing Poinsettia tree. 

Last Spring, when I realized that our Poinsettia had remained alive all during the Winter, I decided to let it continue to grow outside. So, I put it in a larger pot, gave it some more soil  and put it on the deck to fend for itself. My philosophy has always been, to practice the "let-it-alone" system of plant care. It continued to grow, until the weather got too cold to leave it outside. By then it resembled a well groomed topiary tree. I watered it, brought it inside and set it on our hearth. In November, some of its leaves had turned bright red. Over night, we had a marvelous piece of Yuletide cheer.

But now what? We don't want to give it too much attention, or it will surely die. How big will it get? We don't have room for a 4 foot plant. Are there 10 gallon flower pots? And, to top it all off, somebody gave us another little Poinsettia, this past Christmas. 

Gracious God, we thank you for the beauties of nature. Our blessings are many. Help us to keep growing our Faith in You.