Lavender Spring

The earth's transition from spring into summer blesses us with wave after wave of wonderful displays of color and fragrance. Lavender, beautifully purple and fragrant, has come into its time and invites us to take a walk that fills our senses with delight. Enjoy and settle down for the night feeling refreshed. Good night. 🌙

A Moment in Time

Grey, wind and rain.  Yet I ventured out, the lure of farm-fresh produce at the weekly outdoor green market irresistible.  Admittedly nudging me out the door as well was the plastic bag in the kitchen, filled to the brim with over-ripening veggie and fruit scraps clearly ready for the compost project at the far end of the market.

Fully aware of the slim possibility of finding parking, I still took the car out of its rare spot in front of my building, relying on the benevolence of the parking gods there and back.  Circling the packed streets only twice, I was relieved to see a space halfway up the road which winds up the hill through the park surrounding the market.  Although it meant a long walk, the dark green leafy trees, dripping with the intermittent rain, made me smile and stop.  Two smooth maneuvers later, settled in to my satisfaction and getting a thumbs-up from two women trekking up the hill, I turned off the motor and climbed out of the car onto the sidewalk.  Damp fragrant tree branches arched overhead, rustled by a gentle cool breeze. Next to me, framed by benches and a low rough stone wall, the park, here a generous patch of forest and dirt paths, stretched away to the distant shore of the Hudson River.

Breathing deeply of the smell of damp earth erased years and took me back to summers in the woods of Massachusetts, away from the cement and bustle of the city to the hopefulness of a young spirit out in the open.  Infused with that expectation of wonders to come, I felt moved to tears in gratitude for the reminder and for the continuing possibilities of the present.  With another deep breath, I put up my huge sky-blue umbrella, feeling like a kid again under its shelter, and made my way down to the busyness and bounty waiting below.

Free gifts

I love to shop and delight in finding things that are perfect for my family and friends, especially if my finds are at a bargain price.  I also make sure that anything that I have and no longer use or need gets to wherever it's needed.  

However, there are times when I feel that I am the one who listens and tries to make sure that others are provided for.  In the next moment, I am berating myself for this ungenerous and egocentric thought.  It is clear that, through whatever grace, I am fully provided for with a roof over my head, more than enough food, with people who love me and with whatever worldly comforts I crave. 

After a call this morning, it became clear how blessed I am with the people in my life.  A friend with whom I have not talked in a while called to let me know that his mother is gravely ill and has been in the hospital for the last month, now facing chemotherapy.  We had a long encouraging conversation about what is going on in both our lives and then finally hung up when both our lives intervened with what has to be done now.

I was so grateful that, in his moment of need, he reached out to me, knowing, I hope, that a conversation with me would cheer and strengthen him.  It felt like such a gift of trust that I was moved with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.

In the same spirit, a neighbor on public assistance, not by her choice, who is struggling to care for two children, knocked firmly on my door yesterday.   When I opened it, she presented me with a miniature shopping bag.  In it was a Christmas-red scarf for which I had been searching and which she found in her latest outing.  It was exactly what I wanted to brighten up what I have been feeling is a drab and spiritless season.  Again, I was so moved by her gesture, especially since her financial situation does not allow for any luxuries.  As the recipient of such generosity, how can I ever again have a selfish thought?

Thank goodness for the angels in our lives who remind us how fortunate we are!