Loving Thoughts of the Marigold Queen

Marigolds are undoubtedly the most recognized of all annual flowers. The Farmer’s Almanac deems marigolds as “the easiest annual flower to grow.” They are also great companion plants. Most seasoned gardeners incorporate marigolds into their vegetable gardens to deter insects. Marigolds also work below the soil surface to ward off nematodes and other pests. 

I cannot look at a marigold plant without thinking about my oldest sister, MaryAnn. MaryAnn is not what you would call an “outdoor” type of person. She is not particularly fond of the hot summer sun. However, she is an incredible seamstress. I dare to say that there is very little she cannot create sitting behind a sewing machine. I have no way to estimate the number of quilts, wall hangings, dolls or stuffed animals this lady has made. When she’s finished with a project, it is impossible to tell whether the item was handmade or purchased from a store. Years ago MaryAnn & I had a tradition. I would go to her house in the spring and plant planters and a flower bed or two. In turn, she would sew something for me. It’s not that I can’t sew, but rather that I cannot sit still for long.

MaryAnn loves marigolds. They are virtually carefree flowers, and they come in several shades of yellow, orange and bronze. She saved the seeds of her marigolds every fall in a coffee can and faithfully sowed them in the ground every spring. After observing her gardening ritual for a few years, I proudly dubbed her, “The Marigold Queen.” It took a little bit of coaxing, but I eventually convinced her to plant a few other low maintenance flowers among her treasured marigolds. With a few simple instructions, she kept her flowers growing throughout the summer. As for me, I always drove home with a beautiful hand sewn item for the inside of my home.

After my husband and I moved to another state, our tradition came to a close. In the summertime, I still occasionally visit my sister. She does pretty well on her own in the garden now. As for me, I have made an occasional chair pad or even a pillow or two. But our original gifts are still prominent in our lives. They are dominant because both of us have worked at developing our talents. You know what? That’s okay. MaryAnn and I are biological sisters. We grew up in the same household by the same loving parents. But, we are different from each other. We learned to use our talents and abilities for the other person’s benefit. The family of God is no different. There is a God-given gift in each one of us. It is something unique to us. Although others may have a similar talent than we do, no one can complete our God-given gifts as we can. They are given to us with a purpose in mind. That purpose is more than for our enjoyment. It is to bless other people. Someone out there needs you. Don’t become an island. Time flies by and seasons change. God’s plan for your life on this planet will never be finished until you have breathed your last breath. 

“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life” (Galatians 6:4, 5)