The Plant Graveyard

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From the time my late niece was about 6; she is the one who would think to water our house plants. My mom would always have nice plants started, potted and ready for me to take home when I visited. She tried so hard to help my niece, my daughters and I to have a nice home. But as a single mom I was just busy and frazzled and the house plants didn't make my list of important things to get done. Most of the plants died long lingering deaths. I seemed to just not notice their demise. One day my late niece said, "Can I take this out to the plant grave yard?" She was referring to yet another neglected plant that didn't make it. Another thing I hadn't noticed was the accumulation of pots with dead house plants out in the back yard. It was indeed a house plant graveyard. Her question just made me laugh; plant grave yard became a house hold term and the memory still gives me a smile. After my mother found out she asked for all of her pots back. My mom still planted new plants for us, but she gave them directly to my niece with clear instructions on their care. I still can't keep house plants alive. Luckily my husband can.