Life is filled with inexplicable phenomena that often leave us in awe.
One such marvel is the story of Frankie Allison, a resident of Halifax, who is the proud caretaker of what many consider a “miracle plant.”
Frankie’s tale takes us back to a Christmas Eve of yesteryears.
His wife, Maxine, had just won a call-in radio show contest and was gifted a small poinsettia, a plant traditionally associated with the holiday season.
Tragically, Maxine suffered a heart attack and passed away just three days later, leaving behind her husband and the newly acquired plant.
In the throes of grief, Frankie had little thought to spare for the plant.
He even considered discarding it.
However, the plant began to undergo a remarkable transformation right before his eyes.
Contrary to the nature of poinsettias, which are typically seasonal plants that seldom survive beyond the holiday season, this one defied all norms.
It continued to grow and flourish, year after year.
By the time CBC News covered the story in 2016, the plant had been thriving for an astonishing 19 years, growing into a massive spectacle.
The poinsettia grew so large that it replaced the traditional Christmas tree in Frankie’s home.
He adorned it with lights and cared for it throughout the year, not just during the holiday season.
Frankie saw the plant as a living tribute to Maxine’s memory, and he believed that her spirit was the force that kept the plant growing so robustly.
Frankie’s dedication to the plant was unwavering.
He watered it twice a week and regularly nourished it with fertilizer.
The plant, while stunning all year round, held a special magic during the holiday season, the time when Maxine had passed away.
It served as a beautiful reminder of her life and presence, even though she was no longer physically with him.
The plant, which started as a small poinsettia, had grown into an enormous entity.
It stood over 5 feet tall and weighed more than 100 pounds, a size that Frankie could never have imagined when Maxine first received it.
The longevity and size of the poinsettia were indeed strange, considering that these plants usually last only a few months indoors and are primarily seen around the holiday season.
Frankie interpreted the plant’s unusual growth and lifespan as a sign that Maxine was still watching over him.
Even plant specialists were astounded by the poinsettia’s extraordinary growth.
Frankie shared:
“They say that’s a miracle plant. They always say your wife is still with you.”
Frankie never anticipated forming such a special bond with his wife’s poinsettia.
But the thriving plant and the memories it held made it clear why he told CBC News that he planned to keep it “for years to come.”
The plant, in its own unique way, continues to keep Maxine’s spirit alive, making it a true “miracle plant.”
Watch the video below to get a closer look at this incredible story!
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Halifax man grows poinsettia for 19 years
Frankie Allison has been growing a poinsettia in his Halifax living room for 19 years – the same plant his wife brought home just three days before she died of a heart attack in 1996.
Full story here http://www.cbc.ca/1.3389386
Posted by CBC News on Tuesday, January 5, 2016
