Plant anyways

I met with a long time friend tonight for dinner and some wine. We haven't seen each other in a few months, yet we seem to pick up right where we left off. Once we get caught up with each other's life, we find out deeper reasons we care about each other. She has known me for many years, and has been very close to me and my family. I cherish our friendship, and her youthful wisdom from such a rich life of experience and  intentionality. I shared with her my journey and the kinds of things I'm hoping for in the coming months. I have some thoughts - that I'll reserve for now - and some dreams that may allow me to travel during time off this summer. I have an opportunity to take 2 weeks in a row off from work, and I haven't done that since my son was born 5 years ago and I was on maternity leave. I am hoping to make myself available to opportunities and open to options that I would not have considered before. It's a facinating time of waiting and wondering...much like we do in this winter to spring season.

I was just about to give up on my time in the garden this year - terribly unsure of where my time will be spent this spring and summer.  And so, I wonder if I'll have time to weed and cultivate a garden that may just get neglected. Remembering the joy I held last summer as the veggies began to sprout, and then to blossom into amazing gifts for me and my family. The sweet smell of tomatoes and cucumbers is still in my senses, and I can almost taste them now.

She recommends to me...plant anyways. You really don't know what the time ahead will hold, and because you enjoyed the garden so much last year - why not invest a little time, energy, and a little money to put together some things that you'll know your family will be able to reap, even if you don't. Perhaps someone else would weed that garden, or come to pick veggies, or remember to water it. Perhaps, you'll be able to dig in the dirt and plan out the structure. Perhaps...or not. What's the worst that can happen? The garden dries up and fails, but that means your hopes for a fulfilling future are being experienced.

If you choose not to plant, and your hopes for the future are not ready for you yet...and you miss out on both of them. It's like all the trips she's got planned for this summer, even in the midst of wanting to try to have a baby. So what? So, your plans get a little messed up, but what if you hold off on travel, and you still don't have a baby? Then what? How long do you wait for those missed opportunities? And, how do you know that doing what you truely enjoy is not what it's all about anyways? Why not make contingency plans instead of holding out for something that may not happen? This is what being open to possibilities is all about.

I will heed her advice...in many ways. I will play with my children, love my husband, enjoy sensual and amazing music, go deeper with relationships between friends, seek Christ more fully, buy paint for the house and plant anyways.