Mom's Moonflower

Knowing that Mom’s condition was worsening, we canceled our trip to Florida and planned to drive up to New York the following day.  During the early morning hours of that night, July 7, 2010, Lucy Caponera passed from this life.  As we pulled into the driveway at the Caponera home just before midday on the 7^th, I immediately noticed the flowering plant just to the right of the garage door.  The hardy plant had a single, full flower whose bright white color created a striking contrast to its dark green foliage.  I thought it might be a lily of some sort, an appropriate flower for this day.  Later, when I asked Pop about the plant, he said he had started it with a cutting that someone had given him, but he had no idea what kind of plant it was.

I consulted an acquaintance of mine who is very knowledgeable about trees and plants.  He responded immediately, and told me that the picture I had sent him was of a moonflower.  The flowers of the moonflower plant open quickly during the evening under the moonlight, then the flower withers and dies the next day.

This description of the life cycle of a moonflower blossom reminded me of the brevity of this life on earth.  As we grow older, it becomes more evident to us how quickly life passes, and we realize how precious the time is that we have with loved ones, especially our families. Though Mom lived a long life measured in human years, those who love her felt she was taken from them too soon.

There were some interesting “coincidences” surrounding this particular moonflower plant.  Pop had received a cutting of this plant from a friend and planted it by the corner of their house, something he didn’t do all that often. On the day of Mom’s passing, there was only a single flower that bloomed, while on the days that followed, we noticed that multiple flowers had blossomed each night.  The moonflower cutting was planted earlier in 2010 and only survived one season, dying, and being removed in the following year.

To me, this moonflower was a special sign from my Lord about this woman who I loved deeply and affectionately called “Mom”.  I believe that God arranged for this plant at just the right time to grow and bloom, sending a message to those who were listening.  He was telling me that He knows about our heartache when we lose those we love. But, He was also reminding me that she is rejoicing in His presence, no longer suffering with the pains she experienced in this life.  And that, one day, I will see her again and we shall rejoice together!