They Call Him The King Of The Orchids
In one of my favorite pictures of Young Aunt Becky, I’m wearing a flower in my hair. It’s not surprising that I’d have a flower in my hair, as my parents are fucking hippies and all that, but it was only recently that I identified that flower: it’s an orchid.
For those of you not playing along at home, I’m a little obsessive about my orchids. It’s not that I’ve named them and have wee little orchid dresses and suits painstakingly knitted for them that I change them in and out of, but that’s only because I can’t knit and the last thing I tried to name was a cat I was fostering that I named Little Cat. You can guess why.
But my favorite memories as a child involve being in a greenhouse somewhere or another (there are a shocking amount of greenhouses in the Chicagoland area); the smell of green, alive things filling my nostrils while the warm humidity curled my hair. I didn’t have a particularly happy childhood, so those really were the best of times, and the holidays always bring back the worst of it, that feeling of being on the outside, looking in. I wrote about it on Band Back Together, because, well, obviously.
Since I still live in Chicago where the temperatures range from Ass Cold to Ass Hot, and we’re clearly in the middle of an Ass Cold spell, I haven’t had much need to visit the greenhouse in a couple of months. And because Ass Cold lasts somewhere until mid-July here in Chicago, I didn’t expect to be visiting one until then.
Your Aunt Becky was sad in the pants.
Then, I found this video of Amelia eating a lollipop, for the first time, right? She was probably about 8 months old and it was about the most hilarious thing ever and I’ll have to upload it somehow for you because DUDE, HILARIOUS BABY.
BUT.
In the background of the video, I can hear my three-year old son, Alex going on and on about going to the orchid greenhouse. He’s begging to go there.
He, too, loves greenhouses (I wrote about it here). He loves the garden and flowers and plants and digging in the earth and I’m looking forward to taking him to the Chicago Botanic Gardens some day soon. Clearly, I’ll wait until the ground isn’t covered in a thick blanket of snow and ice. Because I might as well save myself a trip to the North Shore and take him out to my backyard.
That video had given me an idear. We all know Aunt Becky doesn’t often have idears, so when I do, it’s important that I actually inform someone that my brain made a thought. So I did.
And that is how I ended up taking my three-year old son to the orchid greenhouse yesterday.
This isn’t your mom’s orchid greenhouse – presuming, of course, your mom HAD an orchid greenhouse. This is four acres of swinging death orchids in various stages of growth, all of which you can peruse and enjoy at your leisure. If you’re into that thing, which I TOTALLY am.
Alex ran inside, begging for an orchid of his own, a smile stretched ear to ear, the only three-year old on the planet who could properly identify varying orchid species.
They Call Him The King of the Orchids
It’s likely he’ll never know why I was a little misty-eyed by his delight at the orchid greenhouse. It’s likely he’ll never understand why having a connection to his great-grandfather is so important; that knowing where you came from is half of where you’re going. I can tell him, but he won’t understand that the same blood courses through both of our veins, just as it always has, uniting the three of us.
All he will understand is that while he ran through, yelling “HI ORCHIDS,” the orchids seemed to bob and wave, in an almost-human way they’d never done for me, as if to say, “Why hello there, Alex. We’ve been waiting to meet you.”
And it was then that my heart finally took flight.
Awe… that is such a sweet story! I reacted similarly when my 4yo declared a love for dill pickles… it’s in our blood. I’m sure she thought I was NUTS when I got misty and said “Yes! Yes, sweety, you DO love pickles!” Beaming at her little face…
LOL!
🙂
Oh be still my heart.
*tear*
I’m a huge fan of orchids myself. If Alex ever needs a date to take to the orchid greenhouse, have him call me.
This is just wow. I sobbed a little. Alex is an amazing little boy. All your kids truly are but this post your words. They dumbfound me and make me love your children even more. You are one damn amazing writer.
Now I must go my snot bubbles.
“Why hello there, Alex. We’ve been waiting to meet you.”– beautiful. You’re teaching him well, Becky.
That is awesome!!!
I guess that’s the part about having a genetic connection to your child that’s so hard to put into words. When people get asked why they want to spend all kinds of time/emotion/money to have a child (when the could “just adopt”), they should probably just reference this post.
Great story…
AWESOME!!!!
Ahhh! Hauserman’s! It is one of my favorite places and my mom took me there as a little girl (and then as a teenager) all the time. I have inherited her love of orchids and since Hauserman’s is right down the street from my house I visit there often. I have not been brave enough to take my small people with me yet because something about two little boys kung fu fighting around delicate flowers scares me. Hopefully one day they will be like your King of the Orchids who is adorable.
Ahhh! Hauserman’s! It is one of my favorite places and my mom took me there as a little girl (and then as a teenager) all the time. I have inherited her love of orchids and since Hauserman’s is right down the street from my house I visit there often. I have not been brave enough to take my small people with me yet because something about two little boys kung fu fighting around delicate flowers scares me. Hopefully one day they will be like your King of the Orchids who is adorable.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Aunt Becky, Mushroom Printing. Mushroom Printing said: Sometimes, family needs a good hard smack: https://mommywantsvodka.com/they-call-him-the-king-of-the-orchids […]
well, this was just goddam lovely.
nicely done.
LOL! That cracked me up! Hilarious!
Why thank you!
How beautiful!
You should write a ‘how not to kill your orchid’ blog. You know, for those poor souls whose orchid is dying in their kitchen window. Not me of course. But someone else. Maybe. Just a thought.
Amelia’s idea for a “How Not To Kill Your Orchid” blog is excellent. If you write it I will read it…. My Orchids have “issues” and I live in Southern Florida year round (I don’t think the like me ) Any tips or hints would be eagerly absorbed ! How very lovely to have a child (esp a son share your love for this most beautiful plant.
Love your Blog BTW !
Sunny
I can do that. Not a problem. I know ALL ABOUT ORCHIDS. I might be a little obsessive.
Great! I look forward to reading and learning. My sad Orchids will thank you!
Warm Regards,
Sunny
My orchid would be SO relieved! I recieved mine for my first Mother’s day, and have spent the time since then…essentially killing it. Not a promising outlook for my daughter.
He just kinda looks at home there. I love it when my kids like the same things I do.
He does it organically, which makes it better. Alex isn’t a person who can be “made” to like anything. He’s as stubborn as…uh…me.
I totally want to find one of these … I might actually consider visiting Chicago now! (ps I am scared of Chicago … being a lil’ country bumpkin that doesn’t like to travel & all did it to me … oh & maybe my lil’ sister when she lived there always teased me about all the stabbings she saw.) BUt I totally FREAKING LOVE plants … orchids whatever … just plants … green … I hate cold, winter & white shit … I want GREEN!
Get your butt out here and visit me. I’ll take you in the summertime. No need to go now.
I could see me hanging out with Aunt Becky having a ton of fun! Lock the kids away .. they would hear a ton of FUCK – and summer would be a must … I am just a bitch when I am cold!
sniff. sweet baby.
Alex is one of the genuinely sweetest, kindest people I know.
Awww!!! So cute! And yes, it is perfectly ok for boys to like orchids. Actually flowers of any kind! I love the way you tell the story. Makes me feel like I’m there!
I’ll bring you next time 🙂
It’s shocking how one tiny little kid can put everything into place.
It really, really is. Alex is good at this.
That is so cute! It sounds so great to be able to share a love of something like that!
I only wish he cared about taking CARE of them. They’re so tricky.
ahhhhhh….well of course the amazing little manly butterfly loves orchids….
Of course he does! And the planets! That Saturn costume, I’m already trying to figure out how to make it.
This was great. I love when you can share something with one of your children like that.
What I love more? When my comments show up within a few refreshes so I don’t look like an ass.
Bwahahahaha. I think it makes you look like a stalker and we both know how cool stalkers are. Which is VERY cool.
This was great. I love it when you can share something important to you with one of your kids. It’s awesome.
It’s really the best part of having kids. Besides free labor.
I too love orchids and also think they are human like in many ways. They are so different from most flowers. Their meatiness and fleshiness and the shapes make them so much more animal than vegetable!
They seem human, don’t they?
It isn’t drivel. It is sweet and beautiful and wonderful.
Aw, thanks.
Mwah! Alex, mwah!! Pass me a spoon, I just want to eat him up. Nom, nom, nom.
Isn’t he a love?
Every time I see an orchid I think of you. I saw a bunch today in the corner at Wal-Mart and I was all….Nobody puts Aunt Becky’s babies in a corner and wanted to move them.
BWAHAHAHAHA! I would have been all, ‘GET ME THOSE ORCHIDS AND GET THEM NOW!’ Even though I can’t actually KEEP any more without another light box.
I love that boy. So genuine of heart, he is. (Ok, must stop commenting like Yoda,now.)