This is a nice story. Lilies as symbols of pride can be groomed in a garden. The lilies being carried away by river waters and the house damaged is perhaps a sign of having to move on. Paulina doesn't give up her obsession with lilies. She draws them up. She is a good painter. John supports her endeavors. The story shows how we can be weak and still have to go on. It has pathos. Brushes and paint can fill up the space left open by a disaster. We need hobbies to fill up our time and they might be our pet passions.