Magnolia Magic

  

 “Have you ever looked at the bud of a magnolia flower? It’s a tight little pod that stays closed up for a long time on the end of its branch until one day, out of nowhere, it finally bursts open into this gigantic, gorgeous, fragrant flower that’s ten times bigger than the bud itself. It’s impossible to imagine that such a big beautiful thing could pop out of that tiny little bud. But it does.” 

― Joanna Gaines

The flowers on my magnolia stellata should last for a few more weeks, providing the frost does not get them. They are an annual, much-anticipated joy as their pure white petals unfurl from the tight, furry buds that have kept them warm through winter months, like woolly jumpers. 

There are moments in our lives when something acts as a trigger, and suddenly, after a long period of being closed and restricted, we are able to throw off our 'woolly jumpers' and reveal something quite wonderful and beautiful. 

Writing prompts:

• Write for five minutes about what has been restricting you recently and how this has made you feel.
• In your writing, describe a moment when you suddenly felt free of restriction.
• What wonderful, beautiful thing have you revealed to the world? Write about it using all your senses.