My patch of Happiness and Joy !

As I sit here and look out my window, I see my little patch of happiness; the gladioli in my little patch of garden are blooming.
They are my pride, my joy, and my happiness. I can't help but reflect on our journey together.
An interesting story about the pandemic. I planted these gladioli bulbs during the pandemic.
In the beginning, everyone around me was busy cooking, gardening, knitting; I am not into any of these. I don't have much of a green thumb; in the past I have planted a few things, but they ended up dying. So, this time I wasn't expecting anything, I found the bulbs on sale at a local home and garden store. I planted them as an experiment, as a challenge to myself. I planted them in mid-April and forgot all about them. However, to mine and everyone else's surprise, they thrived and started blooming in early parts of July, one after the other, in different colors.
Seeing those colorful flowers take over my yard was like therapy, happiness at its source, the indescribable feelings of accomplishment. They brought hope, they boosted my self-confidence and my feelings of self-worth beyond measure. I had indeed actually planted something, and it not only survived but grew, bloomed, and multiplied.
These beautiful flowers became a source of immense joy and happiness in the midst of all the chaos through the months of June, July, and August. I had planted only a few bulbs not knowing the outcome, but they had now multiplied beyond my imagination.
This is their fourth year of blooming. Their first season of blooming, I was not able to share them with anyone due to the social distancing restrictions but now that the pandemic is over, I have started sharing them with my friends, neighbors.
This year, I shared them with the local YMCA several times. Every time I walked in there and I heard other members noticing them at the front check in and complimenting them, my eyes were filled with tears and my heart with enormous pride. These flowers are more than just flowers to me; they are signs of enormous hope and happiness. They brought me inner peace and what we call in my native tongue, "sukoon,” solace.
Now the pandemic is officially over. The chaos and uncertain times are behind us. Life has somewhat returned to its so-called normalcy; and I am left here with these remnants of the pandemic; and even though they were originally associated with chaos, they are now part of my fond memories, they are a beautiful reminder of resilience, of our journey together.
I am curious to know, what did you do, how did you deal with those chaotic times? Perhaps started a new habit? Have you kept up with it??? Do you have a story to tell? If you are reading this, please do leave me a comment. These are my ramblings on this Friday, my pandemic story.