The Unfurling of Elvis's Bleeding Hearts

The Bleeding Heart plant is special to my family. Years ago, when my children's pet Hamster, Elvis, had passed away, we planted a Bleeding Heart over the pint-size rodent's grave.

Doing so was both a lesson and a reminder that we all go back to the earth at some point in time, that our bodies have "new life" as they become something else. In Elvis's case, he helped our Bleeding Heart become big, beautiful, and strong.

Elvis was buried at our first Oregon house in Beaverton on Dale Avenue. His Bleeding Heart has since made two moves with us and every spring, as the tiny colorful hearts unfurl, I stop to admire the blossoms and say, "You're looking good, Elvis!"