In the studio at Blawesome there is a long, black table. Over the course of the day, as the harvests come in and the work begins in earnest, the table becomes full of the colors of Mother Nature’s abundance. It is piled high with flowers from our gardens, every vibrant shade of color in the spectrum, the deep oranges and bright yellows of cheerful spring ranunculus, the subtle and solid pink and purple of the tulips, the soft whites, reds, and unexpected pops of fuschia of the anemones, and the muted, fragrant greens and blues of the eucalyptus. The long, black table becomes a holding place to every soft, delicate, robust, and bold texture, to blooms that show off and to those that add subtle depth and character. It is transformed into a vision of beauty, a rainbow of constant motion, wrapped up in the hum of the work of putting together bouquets to fill the weekly orders.
At the end of the day, there are buckets upon buckets filled with the arrangements that are headed out into the world to grace the tables of our friends. Sometimes, the sheer poetry of those creations makes me pause to catch my breath– to see so much richness collected in a single space. To be thankful and aware that my hands and my heart get to work so intimately with magic. To know that the recipient of every bouquet very thoughtfully and intentionally chose us to share in this collective celebration of the season and of each other’s humanity.
It's a joy to release this beauty into the world, but it feels something like sacrament to come back inside and look at that long, black table. It’s still piled with blossoms, stems, colors, textures… It’s the final chorus of a song about seed, sun, soil, rain, and work—a witness to my prayers and deep gratitude. The vases received flowers similar in height and fullness, but the table holds those who grew their own unique way and found different paths to the light among their supportive neighbors in the garden. These are the beautiful bits and pieces that tell a story of resilience, perseverance, and ever-abounding hope. This is the beauty I scoop up and bring home to my table.
There are places where we might all wonder if we belong—where bits and pieces of our lives don’t quite fit in with what the world is doing. But there is a table where our beauty shines for what it is and also for what we are together. Many of you know that Reality Ministries has been that table for Raimee and for so many others. The table at Reality Ministries is formed by friendships, genuine and deep; and of lives growing uniquely together, leaning in, finding light.
This Sunday is the Reality Ministry’s talent show, and a perfect opportunity to simply witness this beauty and support this amazing community. You’ll also have a chance to support Reality by entering a drawing for a full summer/fall CSA with Blawesome.
It is my hope that when you bring Blawesome flowers home to your table, you’ll also remember mine, and pause for just a moment to celebrate all that we hope to encourage and create in the world.
See you Sunday.