From Skilled Hands

Gratitude: Musings on My 200th Post

By fromskilledhands ( March 21, 2009 at 7:53 pm) · Filed under Caring, Chickens, Dogs, Gratitude, Musings, Spring

Somehow it seems rather fitting that this is my 200th post. I have so much for which to be grateful, and my awareness is acute on this day.

It is Spring. The birds singing; the quality of the light; buds swelling on the old apple tree outside my kitchen window—-all these things are reminders that there is a cyclical nature to our lives and the lives around us. The goldfinches are sporting yellow feathers; each breeding male hoping each female will see his coat as the one for her. The cats are losing their winter coats and bulk. This was a long winter, and they needed it all.

The chickens. Bless the chickens and the eggs they are giving us, and the manure that will help our garden grow. I am grateful for their clucks and sounds that let me know they are there.

Two of the dogs have had their Spring grooming. No more winter dirty dog smell. Lily the Toy Poodle will be next—when the weather warms up a bit. Lily is really a farm dog. She has no idea she is small, tipping the scales at 8 pounds. She has herded the chickens and taken on the cats.Then she curls up in a little ball and goes to sleep.

And #1 daughter has been home this week, gracing our lives with her presence. It has been a good week, full of conversation and relaxation. We’ll be leaving for the airport soon. It is a bittersweet time for both of us.

Seeing my children grow and spread their wings reminds me that we, as parents, are really gardeners. We create as rich an environment as we can, providing love and care. We place the seedlings in what we hope is the best place, letting them harden off before we put them outside to grow on their own. We do the very best we can with the tools and information we have at any given time. But we don’t make them grow. They do that all by themselves. It is an amazing process to share. And for that, too, I am grateful.

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5 comments »

rudeek said,

March 22, 2009 @ 12:33 am

Well said Debra. From the sounds of things, you’re a wonderful gardener.
kanani said,

March 22, 2009 @ 11:49 am

Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love this site. I’ll have to snoop around a bit. Love the dog!
Cat B said,

March 22, 2009 @ 2:45 pm

A beautiful post, Debra. Glad you had a good visit with your daughter. She is lucky to have been planted with you!
Larramie said,

March 23, 2009 @ 1:42 pm

Is there any better way to spend your life than creating beauty in so many forms?
Poetikat said,

March 23, 2009 @ 3:49 pm

Debra – This was a lovely and perceptive post. I feel I know you a little better by it. I saw my first goldfinch on the back porch today, eating sunflower seeds at our feeder. He is still a bit pale, but I know soon enough he will have the vibrancy of a canary. Your little Lily sounds like quite a character. I can just imagine her rousting the chickens and cats.

Kat