For You: The Quiet Courage of Caring

 

Collage artwork of a woman holding a large bouquet of flowers

The language of flowers

I have a thing for flowers. When a flower catches my attention, I love stopping to take in its colours, its texture, its shape. Flowers reflect life in so many ways: diversity, stages of growth, blooming in different seasons. Beauty, vibrancy, fragility.

Flowers feature in nearly all of my artworks – sometimes bright, bringing joy. Sometimes gentle and tender, signifying change. The name Cherish & Bloom draws on the idea of our personal growth being like blooming flowers.

I created this artwork, For You, because I wanted to capture and pass on some of the delight and care that can come from a bunch of flowers.

More than a gift

There’s something special about giving a gift, especially a simple one. Some flowers. A handwritten card. A favourite treat. Something that says: I was thinking of you and I want to let you know that. 

It’s special because it’s not just about the gift or card. It’s about human connection.

I saw this gift and it reminded me of you.

You were in my thoughts as I wrapped this present.

I care enough about you to put my thoughts into words and write them in this card.

When the gift is used, or a card is displayed, the connection continues. The message moves from ‘I care about you and was thinking of you’ to ‘I am cared for – someone was thinking of me.’

Whether received in person, or it arrives in the post, the card or gift can be enjoyed and appreciated not only in that moment, but also later. Perhaps even years later, a card may be found and re-read and again brings a smile and warmth to the recipient with the reminder that someone thought of them, and took the time to say so.

Close up image of collage artwork of a bouquet of flowers including gerberas, sunflowers and roses.

For You

I wanted to create a collage that expresses love and care in their many forms.

It’s not always possible to give a bouquet of flowers, but a card can convey the same sentiment. I call the cards which I have created from this artwork my ‘anytime cards’. It’s the card for all occasions: Whatever you’re going through right now, I see you and I’m here with you in it. The scattered shapes float like confetti in celebration. The soft colours convey empathy in a time of grief.

Heart on show

Giving something from the heart, even something as small as a card, can feel vulnerable. You can never guarantee how a gift is going to be received.

Will the love that I feel be reciprocated?

Is this gift enough to express the depth of my love?

Will it be viewed as too much or over the top? 

Collage artwork of a woman holding a birthday cake and a gift. Her feet are pointed inwards in a bashful stance.

The woman's posture in these artworks – that hesitant offering – is a reflection of me. ‘I’m giving you this because I really love you, and I want to pour this love out on you … but, in doing so, I’m exposing my heart.’

And there's vulnerability whenever we expose our heart to someone else.

This applies not just in the giving of gifts and cards, but throughout my life. I feel deeply. I care deeply. There’s always a risk that comes with that. Will my emotions be welcomed? Will it feel like too much?

Love anyway

And, yet.

I give anyway, because love is worth expressing. I offer because I care – not because I’m certain of the outcome. All I can do is trust that it will be received in the spirit in which it is given.

The name of this blog, Tender and Tangled, can mean many things. In this conversation, maybe the tangled part is the vulnerability. The fear. The wondering. And the tender part is what we choose anyway: to give, to share, to show love.

If you're reading this and thinking of someone you care about – someone who could use a moment of brightness or encouragement – maybe this is your reminder: write the card. Send the message. Give the flowers, real or printed.

Let someone know: I was thinking of you and I want to let you know that.

Let’s Stay Connected

If this post resonated with you, I'd love to stay connected. You can find me over on Instagram and Facebook , where I share more about motherhood, art and neurodivergence.

Featured artworks:

For You, Jodie Garth, 2023

Happy Birthday, Jodie Garth, 2023

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