by Ana Atanasković

If anyone is a plant lover, it’s me. However, I must admit, I don’t have much luck or talent in maintaining them indoors (usually, the problem is overwatering or something else—I don’t know). Trees, flowers, and all plants are very important to me (when a tree is cut down, I feel unsettled; I don’t buy flowers because I don’t like them being cut…). When asked if I’m a cat or dog person, I’d prefer to say I’m a plant person. Yet, somehow, I don’t know how to cultivate them. However, there is one exception.

My mother, who knows how to cultivate plants, gifted me over twenty years ago two pots with plants that have tiny thorns. They have endured all hardships: summers, winters, autumns… and various life changes. So resilient and wonderful, they’ve become a little miracle alongside me. For a long time, I didn’t know their real names; my mother simply called them “thorns,” so I adopted that name (repotting them is a particular challenge, in which she and my friend Miloš assisted, while I directed their growth).

Then I learned that “my” plants are called “Christ’s thorn” in Serbian, or Crown of thorns in English. I was advised not to keep thorny plants because they’re not energetically good, but that advice didn’t resonate with me. Really, Jesus could endure a crown of these thorns on His head, and I’m supposed to discard the plants? Especially those that have been part of my life for twenty years, persistently and lovingly? Never.

Not at all. When I heard their real name (one blooms yellow, the other red), I loved them even more. They reflect the path I strive for. Thorns have their purpose. And my role in my little part of the world is to accept and love them. And to trust the One who clearly and loudly said that He is the way and the truth and the life.

Let’s calm our lives, no matter how thorny they may sometimes be, dear people. From peace, the world emerges—from detached, unexpecting, self-sufficient peace… Christ is born!

---

Ana Atanasković is a writer and literary journalist. She completed her undergraduate studies in philology, specializing in English language and literature, and holds a master’s degree in publishing marketing. She has published the following works: a collection of short stories Belgrade May Stories and Belgrade is love and novels Duet of Souls, Oueen of Lilacs,My Love, Nikola Tesla, Davorjanka Paunović, and Dragon’s Wife.As a journalist, she has written for many magazines and numerous online platforms. Currently, she writes essays about Belgrade streets for the Cultural Supplement of Politika and literary reviews for Laguna’s Bookmark. She has published a poem about queen Elizabeth II in the Poet magazine. Her essay How to Write a Historical Novel/Screenplay has been featured on many portals. She lives in Belgrade.