Two years ago, I planted a perennial called Daucus carota, commonly known as an ornamental carrot. The one I planted is called Queen Ann's Lace, "Dara," and is purple and maroon. It did not return. Or so I thought.
Two days ago, I noticed this plant sprouting among my annuals, a good four feet away from where I had initially planted it. Beside it are two other flowers/buds coming open.
My late sister's name was Dara, and her favorite color was purple. My Mom and Dad are also now gone. I saw this and immediately thought of these flowers as representations of my family. I do not believe that people reincarnate as plants. No one knows what comes next, but I tend toward the "no energy is destroyed" and the "we are all star stuff" line of thinking about death. Nonetheless, I spoke to the flower. Then talked to the newer ones, as the deaths of first my mother and then my father are newer to me. I felt good talking to the garden. The subconscious doesn't know whether the words are valid or not. The subconscious can easily adopt a metaphor and make it a healing.