A Lady Named Betty
Pictured above from left to right: Gina, the two Mabels and Betty
I became a plant mama last year; it was my pandemic pick me up. My husband and I went to a plant nursery the day before Mother’s Day last year. He needed to replace a few shrubs and he said I needed to get out of the house. It was the first time I’d gone out and it was my first time wearing a mask in public. It wasn’t even a real mask, it was just one of those gator things that you pull over your head and can wear in different styles. So it was around my neck and pulled up over my face. I thought I was going to suffocate! I was too hot with that thing on to shop at a plant nursery. After a quick walk through and not seeing what I wanted, I went to wait in the truck.
Money, Luck, Peace & Healing
I was specifically looking for a Money Tree, a Bamboo plant, a Peace Lily and an Aloe Vera to put in my office at home. I wanted to bring some life and happiness to the space that I was spending so much time in.
The Original Crew
Meet Vera (Aloe), Sylvia and Boo (Bamboo) - Healing, Money and Luck.
Unfortunately, none of them made it.
Healing, Peace & Luck
I’ve had this Vera, Lily and Boo longer than I had the ones that didn’t make it, so I think we’re going to be alright this time.
I try to name all my plants applicable to their plant names. So when I bought another Aloe Vera and Bamboo plant, I kept the same names Vera and Boo. To date they are doing fine. Before I had to put Sylvia down (the original Money tree), I’d bought a replacement and gave her the new name “Gina”. I eventually got a Peace Lily named Lily, she died and I bought another Lily and she’s doing wonderfully.
I’ve learned that I was likely overwatering them as the gnats I got last summer was the first indicator. By the time I realized that the soil was rotten, the plants couldn’t be saved. Believe me I tried, and I almost threw in the towel. But I enjoyed having the greenery in my space so I didn’t give up. Gnat city is under control and I have seven thriving plants named accordingly.
A Lady Named Betty
Betty the Plant
My daddy has an excellent green thumb. He’s always had plants and anytime I’ve visited he’s asked if I wanted to take one back with me. I always said no because I wasn’t going to take care of them. Since the pandemic made me a plant Mama, when he asked if I wanted him to bring me one when he came to visit I said, “Yes!” I was so excited about it and he said, “I’ve been trying to give you some of this plant for 25 years.” I asked, “Well how old is it?” And I got the story…
In the early 70s my dad had a job with the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and a lady named Betty was his supervisor.
The only recollection I have of visiting her house the first time was arriving there with vanilla milkshake all over the back seat and all over me. It was a long ride and I’m guessing I fell asleep. I would have been three or four years old and I remember she helped to get me cleaned up. She had a daughter close to my age and probably provided me with a change of clothes.
Daddy doesn’t remember the milkshake part but thought I should remember the plant part. He said she had a beautiful sunroom and when he saw the plant he said to her, “Wow that is a beautiful plant” and asked, “Can I have a piece?”
Meet Betty
So of course I named my piece of the plant Betty. It’s special knowing I have part of a plant that is over 45 years old and has a story. My daddy credits Ms. Betty with his career success as she became a great friend and mentor. He didn’t stay with DJJ but the experience was a stepping stone to what he would go on to do.
In his career he was also a great mentor and gave away plenty of pieces of Betty.
I like to imagine how one person and one plant has positively affected so many lives.
It’s very important to me to keep Betty thriving so that I can do the same one day.
I think I’m done shopping for plants. I’ll just get them from my dad.
Sporadically Yours, Kenya
Betty the Lady
UPDATE:
Meet the real Betty
After I wrote this post, my daddy tracked down the real Betty. She came over to visit my parents and they had a full circle moment in which daddy gave her a piece of the plant that she gave him so many years ago.
I heard from her by text after she had read several stories from my blog.
“I remember you as a little girl 🥰. You are a gifted writer, and I’m loving stories about your dad, especially. Mostly I love being back in touch with him and your beautiful mother. ❤️” Ms. Betty