Gems

Larissa. She was here for such a short time. Hearts quiver in her wake, enchanted by her beauty, stunned by her briefness.

We loved, we lost, we celebrate all we learned.

Airy flutes and wine-throated cellos sing out the music she taught us.
Silhouettes and sinews, grown stronger from our walks with her, stand tall against the sunsets she treasured.
Our words flow in litanies, psalms and poems like rivers of fresh water, quenching the thirsts of all who hear, as she quenched ours.
Darkness does not frighten us; she was always a friend of the night.

Above all, we value the day lilies.

She planted them in abundance, as her legacy. Each day a new bloom, more colorful, more fragrant, more breathtaking than the one before. She would take us into the garden, show us a single stunning blossom. “Look,” she would say. “Have you ever seen anything more exquisite?” We hadn’t. Like intoxicated bees, we leaned into the rose-orange-mauve flower with its ruffled edging of burgundy. The red-purple eye gazed at us with a serenity that spoke of forever. “Tomorrow this miracle will be gone,” she said. “True eternity is found in a single day.”

Because of Larissa, none of us is the same.

Giovanni’s poetry flows like golden honey, feeds the hungry. Because of Larissa.
Dani has never played his violin with such soulful expression. Because of Larissa.
Michelle sails through the Tour de France winners tape, hands outstretched in victory. Because of Larissa.
Donya chairs her board meetings with compassion and transparency, creates worlds that scrape the very sky. Because of Larissa.

And Benjamin! Benjamin captures the true essence of Larissa, working botanical magic, breeding more day lilies, reaching new heights of color, fragrance, and jubilation. Each blooming for one day only.

And that one day is all we will ever need. Because of Larissa.

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    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    1 year ago

    The picture accompanying your story is so beautiful, Juma. It’s nice to think of day lilies in November! Makes me long for summer; however, the point of the story seems to be to celebrate the present moment, not wish for other days. My favorite line is “True eternity is found in a single day.” So I will revel in the beauty of autumn colors that are all around me today! Good writing.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Hello, Juma. This line really leaves a mark on me, “We loved, we lost, we celebrate all we learned.” And I love the flower in your picture. May I know the name of that flower?

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Juma
    1 year ago

    Hello, Juma. Oh my gosh, that is a lovely flower, Juma. I look at them on the internet. I think I have never seen such a flower here. 

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    1 year ago

    A truly wonderful, poetic and inspiring story, Juma. Reading it inspired me to search online for information about the possibility for lilies to grow in my garden, here in Colombia. Unfortunately, I see that lilies need frosty winter nights to bloom, and we don’t even come close to that. I have to be satisfied with the bananas, oranges, papayas, lemons and mango that I harvest. And then, I’ll enjoy reading about other… Read more »

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    1 year ago

    Juma, your story made me wonder what legacy we will leave behind one day? Larissa sounded like a wonderful mentor and friend. The flower in your picture is so beautiful! I have never heard of it before. I’ve learned something new today! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story!

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