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December Roses

I'm out front picking a few lone roses, even though the December air is brisk and cool.  The mountains have been spectacularly white, and our neighborhood trees finally got the message to change the color of their leaves to hews of deep gold and crimson.  Somehow, the fresh roses don't match the season, but that's the paradoxical reality of living in Southern California. Yesterday, it took more effort as I pedalled uphill to the end of the road, resting along the fence of the horse ranch to just take in the quiet scene before me.  The city-scapes fill in the floor of the valley, but beautiful snow caps enhance the surrounding borders like a lacy ruffle or collar.  Everywhere I look, I am captivated with God's goodness displayed so boldly in His creation.

And I am picking roses in December.  Perhaps that is why I'm not quite eager to get out the Christmas decorations, as they don't yet feel quite pertinent to what's happening in my yard. My vegetables are growing, although my broccoli and kale were first nipped by our backyard critters of probable roof rats.  But they all have been presumably caught, so hopefully, these veggies will catch up with my Brussels sprouts and Swiss chard.  These will all come in handy in the days ahead, as another "new" in "62 and New" is becoming more plant based in our diet, otherwise known as being vegan.  It was inspired by our son and wife's example.  And yes, it is a steep learning curve, as I review and revise old recipes and go through new recipe books, trying to pick out what my husband will find palatable.  Yes, that is a pleasant surprise as well, as after watching Netflix "Game Changers" by husband embraced the idea of following a plant based diet.  However, as I can completely go vegan, he is a bit more moderate (which I am allowing him to be) in that he still would like to indulge in eggs, fish or meat on an occasional basis.

33 years later, I am still picking roses in our marriage.  I don't think I even fathomed that I could be married so long, and that the time would have gone so fast.  True, there are always the "slow motion" days in the life of a marriage, but whenever you look back it's as if your days were on fast forward.  Why did I rush through those days?  Why didn't I take more time to be present to my friends and loved ones, instead of thinking about the next phase?  Picking roses, I have to take time to not only take in their beauty with my eyes, but I must bend to breathe in their heavenly scent.  And today, our wedding anniversary, we are slowly taking it in and savoring our goodness we have in each other.  I think we'll just play Scrabble and eat popcorn, after having a big bowl of Autumn bean soup and bread.  

I think I am discovering that God's goodness extends throughout his creation, the earth, and his creatures, the animals, the birds, the fish and ourselves.  I've discovered through my new love of hiking that there is always hidden beauty and peace in places we couldn't see until we actually got out and hiked.  Yes, I must have an open heart to receive what He puts before me.  And at the appointed time, He reveals Himself, just like He did with his beloved Son, when His Spirit descended upon him like the lowly fluttering of the dove, when He received his baptism by John. So for now, I am grateful. . . entirely thankful . . . to just be able to pick roses in December. . . 





   

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