Jesus, I implore You to help me plant flowers
in Heaven; flowers of patience, surrender,
Penance, sacrifice, and virtue

Throughout my life.

Please procure and tend to my heavenly garden

While I am out of reach of their fragrance on Earth.

Weed out impurities and sin that are tempting to choke
these flowers’ sprouting roots and blossoming petals.

When my life is over, let me pick these flowers for You,

Jesus. Let me pick flowers from the fields of sacrifice
To humbly place them at Your feet when I join You in Eternity.

Let these flowers be reminders that all my efforts

Are futile without Your green thumbs, and ever-loving 

Weeding and attention to growth. I can only plant 

With your help, Jesus. Let my garden be bursting at
The seams with sweet blooms for You, at my death!

Author Bio: Kateri Estano is a recent graduate of Salem State University with a B.A. in English and a concentration in Professional Writing, living in Peabody, Massachusetts. Besides spending time with and preparing to marry her fiancé in July 2023, she enjoys knitting, baking, hanging out with friends, traveling, and adoration. An avid writer since high school, she has recently felt called to share her poetry and writing beyond her computer files. She enjoys composing pieces about God's love for His creation and her relationship with Him. She hopes that her writing will help spread the message of God's intrinsic love to other women. You can find her on Instagram @katericampbel