A green bud emerges.

I did a little research and learned that aloe does indeed bloom, and the flowers can be either yellow or a reddish-orange, depending on species. I also learned the reason why, after decades of nurturing aloe plants, I never knew they made flowers. Aloe plants do not bloom until they are fully mature, a process which takes approximately four years. (Guess how old my current aloe plant is.) In the past, due to my lack of green thumb, multiple relocations, or just plain neglect, I never had a single plant long enough to see it to full maturity. But I’ve had this plant since we first arrived in Congo. I’ve nurtured it and even dug it up and transplanted it when we were forced to move to another house two years ago. As a result, it had a chance to mature and reach its full, beautiful potential.

A hint of what’s to come.