Claudia Gorman our May LongReach Artist

As my parents grew older they made it clear that they didn’t want to move from their home. I took it upon myself to make that happen. 

After they passed away, I found it very difficult to clear out their home. I did know I wanted to bring home a bit of life from their place to mine. They had an Umbrella plant (schefflera amate) the height of a small tree which made it impossible to transport, so I took a cutting.

Although I tried several techniques, for months it wouldn’t root. In the spring, I put it in a sheltered spot outside, thinking that might be helpful. Low and behold it finally started to make roots! As the weather turned colder I brought it inside, planted it in soil, and hoped for the best. When it made its first new leaf, although I’ve seen the process thousands of times, I found it miraculous and out came the camera!

A few years have gone by. The plant is thriving and growing taller at an alarming rate. Regardless, it makes me smile and feel a grateful connection to the important family members that I have lost.