I watered your stupid plants

I really didn't want to, but plants don't water themselves. I really wouldn't feel bad. Neglecting plants is not as bad as forgetting to feed your dog, or worse- your baby. (Now that is where child welfare services would step in.) I came home late at night so exhausted after a looooong day, and had to water the stupid plants. They are not even my plants.

When my brother asked me if I could take in his mail and water his plants for him while he, my sister-in-law and my niece are lounging in the hot Florida sun for the week, of course I said 'sure no problem'. They are always accommodating and invite me over for Shabbos meals. The least I can do for them is water their stupid plants.

Who needs plants anyway? I'd forget to water them and they would die. Which is why I'll never get a pet. Things that are not smart enough to figure out how to take care of themselves are not worth it. Tacky or not, fake plants are pretty, give your room a homey look, and they don't turn brown and die.

Don't give me flowers as a present. It is but a passing beauty. They will die in about a week. Then you will buy me new flowers. And those will die too. Just buy me something I can enjoy right now, like chocolate.  

So I shlepped myself over to their apartment and watered their stupid plants. I may have over watered them. They may be drowning right about now. Sue me, I've never had a plant. Don't ask me to water your dumb plants.

It is not something I even think about. It is such a minor thing. Like, I'm going on vacation. Turn off the lights, close the windows, and that's about it. Make sure someone feeds your goldfish? Water the stupid plants? People actually think about things like that?

But you have to think about it. Because if you don't, your dumb plants die a slow painful death. And really, what did they ever do to you?

I love going on vacation. I feel free, no obligations, just have fun, relax, enjoy. But as you are enjoying yourself, away from the hub of the city, away from the frum community you are always a part of, do you forget who you are? Do you go to the beach in a short sleeved shirt and flip flops, because really, its not like you will see anyone you know. And no one is watching you, or reporting it online. "Spotted: Frum girl in flip flops!! Shame on us all! A scandel!".

Just like those stupid plants cannot be forgotten, our relationship with Hashem is a constant and never-ending thing. It is not something you can forget about or neglect. Because Hashem never forgets. You can be on that beach dressed however you want thinking nobody is looking or cares, but He is always watching and He always cares. 

Plants can go without water for a bit and they may bounce back and they may be okay. But do you wake up in the morning and say 'Sorry G-d, not today, it's my day off'? What if He said that to you? Hashem could blink and we'd all be gone. He gives and He gives, and you can't give Him back a little in return?

I think I'm gonna leave them a sign, "Welcome home, I watered your stupid plants!"