Unfinished Begonia

Although I got away from it for a while, one of the things I've always done is draw the things that catch my attention. During school, I would draw small things in the margins of my papers. Outside of school, I might use an entire sheet of paper to draw something from nature or a small object.

I never really planned to do anything with these drawings, and many have long since been recycled or lost. From time to time, though, something resurfaces after having been tucked away.

Recently, I came across an unfinished sketch—on inexpensive printer paper—that feels perfectly like summer and reminds me of a longtime favorite plant.

A few summers ago, I began sketching a particular branch of a begonia growing in a hanging pot. I love this type of begonia and try to buy one every year. The flowers are an amazing salmon-pink red, surrounded by large, beautiful leaves, and they bloom well into the fall.

When I look at the sketch now, I remember that exact branch extending from the pot against the bricks of the house. It was beautiful.

That drawing was never finished. But when I found it again, that didn’t matter.

I remembered the branch.

And the bricks behind it. The warm weather. And my long-standing tradition of looking for that particular kind of begonia each year. I remembered why I like this type so much.

I didn’t judge the drawing or get mad at myself for not finishing it or using better materials or anything. I actually just stopped and smiled. I was thankful for the memory.

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