Windy Fall Days

Today was a windy fall day. The kind where the howling and creaking remind you that Halloween is just around the corner. I love to watch the Japanese maple in the front yard and the young oak in the back participate in Nature's crazy dance. Nature is so beautiful and POWERFUL. Olivia got a sunflower seed from Julian today. She marched outside it her short, sleeveless princess nightie, her white fleece, hooded jacket, and her dress sandals, armed with a spoon from the kitchen drawer to plant that thing. She came back the first time because she forgot the seed. The second time she pranced in she needed water. On her third trip out the door, Dixie cup from the bathroom sink in hand, I was memorized. Fighting the gale force winds, she kneeled under that oak and planted that sunflower seed right next to the marigolds. Walking back at a full tilt against the wind she climbed the back steps just as I took a picture. What a moment. A child's love is so innocent and DETERMINED. She just knows with a little work and a lot of faith that seed will produce something beautiful. I know that seed will never produce a plant. But it has already given. How priceless to see me daughter try so hard to accomplish something worthwhile and altruistic! My kids teach me lessons every single day. That oak tree was a gift just days after my mother died. It was given by close friends with whom I have since lost touch. But that ground is still so full of love. Amazing. There is a cycle to everything. This Florida girl has learned a lot about the seasons since moving to Tennessee. I'm learning about love all over again. To everything there is a season...