I was visiting May Travers in Ward DG, in the new Burwood Hospital. I had taken a few flowers with me, including a day lily, the very first one to come out in my garden. It has 3 large pink petals which open outwards, to display the inner, pink dots on
white..
I asked at Ward reception for a vase, and I was directed to an alcove just off the hall. I took down a small vase, and was just positioning the flowers in the vase, when a hospital employee passed. She stopped, and commented on the day lily, and how beautiful it was. She said, “Oh aren’t the things God has made remarkable…” Then she realised she had used that dreadful word “God”….
She put her hand to her mouth and said,, “Oh, I’m sorry!”
“Don’t be,” I replied. “I totally agree with you.” And then I told her the story about the Insect Display at Te Papa and how they said the environment’s effect on the months (causing them to darken) was the result of evolution. I said, “Rubbish, it was adaptation” because their colour returned when industrial England dealt with its massive pollution. She was delighted.
“Oh, I’ve got something for you,” I said, and dived into my handbag for a Fingerpost – “What on earth is wrong with the world.” She said thank you, took it, and went off, looking it as she departed. We both had smiles on our faces…