Dear Reader:

I just love this saying “May all your weeds be wildflowers” because there is nothing prettier, in my mind, than a field of wildflowers.

In my parallel life…I will one day have a little Hansel and Gretel cottage beside such a field…wildflowers will be blooming from the window ledges and encircling the door. I will just be the blessed recipient of a home owned by wildflowers!

Roz VanAlstyne, friend and former teaching colleague at Alston Middle School,  told me (the last time she was back from Indiana) that her son Jeremy and his wife, who now live in Ann Arbor, Michigan live in an area that promotes “natural lawns.”

There are signs everywhere saying this lawn is a National Wildlife Federation certified habitat. Driving by you see lots of wildflowers and birds. Quite the contrast to the in-the-city neighborhoods with their manicured lawns.

If a weed blooms…I feel like it has made an effort to do so and that it should come under the category of a flower. After all…effort should account for something.

Did you know that the words “human” and “humility” share the same root word which is: humus -earth.  Now stop and think about the popular parables that Jesus told…They are pretty “earthy” too in Christ’s attempt to teach us humility.

There is the parable of the workers in the vineyard, the parable of the seed and sower, and the parable of the prodigal son. In each case the lesson taught was one of humility and humble forgiveness.

Madeleine L’Engle (Walking on Water) provides this lovely paradox: “We can be humble only when we know that we are God’s children, of infinite value, and eternally loved.” (So true!)

I have been “humbled” three times in the last two days…let me share these wonderful surprises with you.

1. When I went to the car yesterday to run some errands…an elf had left two birthday bags in the car. I ran back to the top steps on the porch and started opening and opening all the gifts…they were from Honey.
2. She is the gift that keeps on giving and giving and giving. Honey…you just blow me away dear friend. Here are three photos of all the surcies I received!

It just blew me away…more clay labels for my jars, a dragonfly necklace made from pine straw, a piece of pottery (made by Honey) in the form of an autumn angel with her holding cross. Unbelievable…thank you so much Honey for being you!

The other two “gifts” came in the form of emails from WordPress about the blog,

The first “gift” was from Jessica, grand-daughter of Beverly Barutio, who they called “MaMaw”, the amazing woman who created St. Jude’s Chapel of Hope …the chapel that changed my life and has influenced many of your lives after visiting this little sacred spot by the springs nearby.

The second “gift” came from Christina, another grand-daughter, who must have heard from Jessica that we had made contact. Both girls were so sweet and kind in their comments validating the blog and its recognition of the lessons learned from their “MaMaw” –  learning to live a life filled with grace and action…even when life throws us curve balls.

I told both grand-daughters that we would love to hear any stories about their amazing grandmother (they would be willing to share) whose influence continues to spread faster than any “little c” disease around.

My birthday isn’t until Thursday but those two emails, from out of the blue, reaffirmed this chapel of hope stories project and truly has made this a birthday to remember. Thank you Jessica and Christina.

So until tomorrow….”Like wildflowers; You must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would.” ( E.V.)

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*Please keep Rudy in your prayers as he journeys through “little c” too with the support of his family and “brothers.”

*(Atticus and Pip-on either side) are mixed “wildflowers”  next to Rudy but the dogs don’t know or care who is “true blue” Yorkie and who are just a little “wilder.”)

Please continue to support our dog brothers in the photo contest…you can vote once a day…much appreciation!

http://bit.ly/1UXK3E2

John took this picture yesterday morning at ECDC…sharing donuts with dad…and a cool five year old! Our little “wildflower!”