-"Okay, Flowers, here are the ground rules," she told them as I dug in the soil, kneeling on my lavender gardening pad, and grabbing for the next flower to plant. My daughter Megan had just finished reading Mo Willems' The Pigeon Wants a Puppy to the flowers, because, you know- carbon dioxide. And who doesn't bloom from being read to, really?
The "ground" (ha!) rules consisted of "Do not block each other's sun" and "Do not get tangled in your own roots." As I pushed down on the soil to secure a new flower in its' spot, I thought there was such brilliance in those words. How life would be better if we didn't try to block anyone else's sun, or maybe steal their moment in the spotlight. If we just accepted the sunshine that came our way. And if we didn't allow ourselves to get tangled in our roots- our old stories, our old habits, the way we think we are supposed to be. Last week, my fingers touched mostly the keyboard as I worked away each day. Today, my fingers touched seashells, sand and soil. I inhaled the ocean air. I planted flowers. There was still keyboard clicking. The work remains, endless, as always. But I am working to restore balance to my days. Much like the flowers, I needed some ground rules too.
6 Comments
5/5/2020 05:15:36 am
"Do not block each other's sun" and "Do not get tangled in your own roots" ... could there BE any greater ground rules? How beautifully you interpret those lines, Kathleen! Your words here are like fresh air .. like the earthy scent of soil and a taste of ocean .. all these things you've wrapped in tangible gratitude. I have been overwhelmed, at times, by how much must be done and how I am going to be able to do it all ... yes, the work is endless and will always be there but I am thinking how the glorious phrases you exegete here hold a key to the needed balance and that is relationships. We are living creatures meant to work as a means of being productive and fulfilled but NOT at the expense of one another ... we must also breathe and offer space for others to do so ... isn't that why we write, too? To find that needed balance? It is such a mighty word.
Reply
Sally
5/5/2020 06:01:32 am
Your daughter sounds so fun! I love that she reads to flowers and sets rules for them!! I so enjoyed "meeting" her in this slice.
Reply
Erika Victor
5/5/2020 06:33:21 am
That Megan! She will keep you (and the flowers) on your toes (or make you aware of your roots). I am glad you are taking some time for balance- it seems harder than ever to manage right now! Hugs!
Reply
Hands in the soil and dirt under our nails is such a pleasant change from keys on a keyboard. Although, at this point, typing feels almost as natural as speaking aloud.
Reply
5/5/2020 12:49:54 pm
Oh, Kathy, this is brilliant and beautiful! Such wise words. I am loving the pretty flowers, Megan's wonderful instructions and your wisdom. Such great metaphors for living life. (And I want to know more about your lavender gardening pad, what some of those flowers are and did you put the mulch in before or after?) Thanks for making my day!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorKathleen Neagle Sokolowski Archives
February 2024
Categories |