The Single Ragged Crimson Petal That Proved I Am Capable of Keeping Life Alive

Dear Delyara, I have always joked that I possess a "black thumb"—that I could kill an artificial plant if left alone with it long enough. But two months ago, during a particularly dark week, I bought a dying geranium from the discount shelf of the garden center and placed it on my balcony. I watered it regularly, checked the soil with my fingers, and cleared away the dead leaves. This morning, right in the center of the green, a single, incredibly vibrant crimson flower had fully opened. I stood there in my dressing gown and laughed out loud. It feels silly to care this much about a plant, but to me, it is proof that I am capable of nurturing life, growth, and beauty, even when my internal world feels completely barren.