23 Comments
User's avatar
Leon Brown, Jr.'s avatar

Very nice!

Expand full comment
Laura La Sottile's avatar

Beautiful!

Expand full comment
Jena Ball's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Tizz's avatar

This is beautiful, Jena. Thank you for writing this story. David Wilcox's song goes so well. I have had a quote on my computer for many years from TNH's book, "No mud, no lotus." ♥

Expand full comment
Jena Ball's avatar

Thank you Tizz. Of course you have that quote over your computer :-) How I love TNH.

Expand full comment
Tizz's avatar

Me too. ♥

Expand full comment
Diane’s Blue Forum 👩‍💻's avatar

A wonderful story, Jena💕

Expand full comment
Jena Ball's avatar

Thank you, Diane. Now that I know more about her family I really wish I’d met Kamala’s mom. What an amazing soul.

Expand full comment
Malcolm J McKinney's avatar

From the mud

The lotus arises.

Brought to mind the second verse of:

Round the Clock Love

Ten o'clock at the office

I heed the telephone's ring

She talks to me so sweetly

Just like the blue birds sing

And I can't wait for dinner

Cause I know what's for dessert

And I know my darling loves me

Like a flower loves the dirt.

https://youtu.be/dpmeRGc4n8Y?si=vfbUn4yC4WDErcly

Expand full comment
Gloria Horton-Young's avatar

Another beautifully crafted piece.

Expand full comment
Jena Ball's avatar

Thank you. Trying to share as I learn more.

Expand full comment
mahesh pherwani's avatar

Hi Jena🌺

You well!? 💙

(Apropos of nothing, really..) recently, it was, my cousin's - Kamala's 😁 - umpteenth birthday, and in a belated, honour celebration, I've been aching for *lotus roots* to cook - and lo & behold, Harris's spotlight, bless her, makes it even more, happily imperative, serendipitously doubly celebratory an occasion...so, me, onwards, chop chop ~

Lotus Root Stir-fry: A Quick & Easy Recipe - The Woks of Life

Expand full comment
Jena Ball's avatar

I’m good. Hungry now that you started talking about lotus root stir fry -lol.

Expand full comment
mahesh pherwani's avatar

Li'l lol from me too.

https://thewoksoflife.com/lotus-root-recipe-stir-fry/#recipe...

Go Ball, go! 👏👏

Expand full comment
Malcolm J McKinney's avatar

Thanks for David Wilcox. Great song. I also listened to six more of his.

You have a taste in music similar to mine.

Expand full comment
Jena Ball's avatar

So glad you enjoyed his music too.

Expand full comment
Lorraine Evanoff's avatar

This is magical! The lotus flower is a recurring theme in my novels for that reason, it's magical.

"Today I learned that the first name of the first woman to serve as Vice President of the United States means Lotus flower. Lotus is a Sanskrit word that symbolizes purity, rebirth, and strength in Indian culture."

Expand full comment
Jena Ball's avatar

Oh yes, agree! And now I know more about her mother I believe she must have known she had birthed a child who would help change the world for the better. Lotus flowers intrigue and inspire me.

Expand full comment
Lorraine Evanoff's avatar

Her smile alone is magical.

Expand full comment
mahesh pherwani's avatar

And the sound of her oozing laughter is melodious, to my ears anyway...joyous, I don't know...fills me happiness, it's enamouring 💙🙏🏻🧘🏻‍♀️🌌

Expand full comment
Lorraine Evanoff's avatar

Nothing beats a good belly laugh, Mahesh😁

Expand full comment
Jena Ball's avatar

Agree and so wonderful to see after all the sneering, leering, and angry scowls from the GOP.

Expand full comment
Lorraine Evanoff's avatar

A winning smile!

Expand full comment