Finally! Starting over!

[Dan796]

Hi!
I'm Dan, and I'm an Orchid addict!
I live in the beautiful mountains of southern West Virginia. Beautiful summers, and cold winters!
8 years ago, I lost everything I owned in a flash flood, along with my 158 orchid plant collection,
Mostly Phals, Phrags, Paphs, with other types mixed in there also.
It nearly killed me to see the destruction of my home and plant collection.
I lost so much that I swore off Orchids!
Never again! It nearly broke my heart!
Anyway, Lowes had a clearence sale of blooming sized orchid plants for $5.00 each!
I simply couldn't resist! And bought the last 9 plants they had. Merry Christmas to me!
(That was this past Monday)
I didn't realized how much I missed growing Orchids until I bought these few plants!
It's a tiny start! But, I'm glad to have them again! : )

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Hi Dan
first of all, WELCOME BACK. Such a heartbreaking story, I would feel the same imagining if for example some storm or hurricane took away all my orchids, I would be devastated and pretty much over it, but as you, it would go away with a years! I am sorry to hear you lost everything, but I always say, if life was not lost, than the material things are replaceable! We went through this back in Czech, we had really bad floods in summer and lost nearly everything when our river flooded the whole village. I hope your collection will grow again and all the chids will thrive and bloom for you:-)

[Dan796]

Thank You Tommy, that is very encouraging to know someone else has gone through simular if not the same as I have! It took a very long time but, I'm now ready to finally start again!
I'd never believe it would be due to Orchids at Lowes! But, God does work in mysterous ways!
Thank you for the blessing on my Chids too!
May God Bless you also!
Dan~

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by Dan796

Thank You Tommy, that is very encouraging to know someone else has gone through simular if not the same as I have! It took a very long time but, I'm now ready to finally start again!
I'd never believe it would be due to Orchids at Lowes! But, God does work in mysterous ways!
Thank you for the blessing on my Chids too!
May God Bless you also!
Dan~

Dan, I was kid at the time, and did not have any orchids, however to see pretty much the whole village under the water, houses destroyed, gone, memories, photos, it just hits you for the rest of the life, as they say, you can actually run away from the fire, but you can not run away from the water, it comes fast and strike destructively hard in minutes! We lost most of the garden, trees, plants, greenhouse etc. Thanks God, no life was lost in our village.

[Daethen]

Welcome, Dan. So sorry to hear of the tragedies in your life. I have not experienced anything like that and do count myself lucky. My son was born with cerebral palsy and I do mourn what life has handed him. I am sure that you are correct that God put these plants in your path. Enjoy and rebuild that happy place.

Tommy, I am also sorry to hear of the scarring that the flood put on your life. It sounds like you have managed to rebuild your life admirably though.

[Leafmite]

Welcome, Dan! Nice to have you!
I'd be pretty devastated if I lost all my orchids and plants...house...everything. Last summer, I counted myself very lucky when a tornado didn't hit our home (treetops going in circles, along with the rain, everything pretty gray). Weather is so unpredictable and uncontrollable...and scary.
Jonada, how is your son doing?

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by Daethen

Welcome, Dan. So sorry to hear of the tragedies in your life. I have not experienced anything like that and do count myself lucky. My son was born with cerebral palsy and I do mourn what life has handed him. I am sure that you are correct that God put these plants in your path. Enjoy and rebuild that happy place.

Tommy, I am also sorry to hear of the scarring that the flood put on your life. It sounds like you have managed to rebuild your life admirably though.

Many thanks Jonada

[Daethen]

Leafmite, he is doing well. He isn't walking but he is a happy kid and doing well in school.

[Dan796]

Thank you all for the kind words, welcome, and encouragement!
I have heart & back complications myself, and I'm permenently disabled. I tire easily and hobble along from it but, my plants help to keep my mind off the misery of pain I feel constantly. I may be a poor man but, I'm thankful for what little I do have.
It's funny how I look back now, and remember my favorite orchids that never failed to always make me smile to look at them. It's like missing a loved one, an old friend, or a beloved pet. Saddens me sometimes that they are gone. I sure do miss them.
I'm Now looking forward to new horizons.
Thanks again!
God Bless!
Dan~

[Tindomul]

Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to the Orchid Board. Sorry about your loss.