Maybe A Pumpkin Patch Will Do

The children had a wonderful surprise this past weekend.

Two years ago, we had scattered some pumpkin seeds in the yard. Late last Summer, one tiny pumpkin emerged and they jumped and happy danced in Joy. Then, the same hell bent "lawn mower man" who pulled up my beautiful wild rose bush carelessly mowed over that little orange pumpkin. Trying to help the children feel less saddened by the loss, we talked about how sometimes better things come from what we first view as loss. They were not easily comforted in their tears.

So, this past Winter we put out an uncarved Halloween pumpkin to feed the birds through the tougher Winter snows. The birds were well fed and left plenty from their own bounty to share again. Late in the Winter we took what remained and put it into the Earth.

Then we left it alone to Nature's decisions.

A couple weeks ago, I noticed the large green leafy folds sprouting from a seed or two that had taken hold. Not wanting to get their hopes up, I didn't say anything. Well, Sunday morning a solitary orange pumpkin blossom trumpeted open in glory! And the little ones laughed, clapped their hands, and are again excited by the anticipation of the possibilities.

This time, I will watch out for Mr. Lawn Mower Man and show him that after the blind fury to cut, trim, mow, and homogenize the landlord's patch of grass ... something of beauty [that no human should interfere with] grew despite his careless disregard for Nature's Laws.