Mary's Heartbeats

 I decided to start my gardening early, before the sun would find its way into our front yard atrium.  I started trimming the jasmine and alyssum that seem to think they are the only plants that matter.  I am sure that they feel they are justified in spreading beyond their borders.  The Bird of Paradise, now over 25 years plus old also sprawls across its center spot.  Its large leaves attempt to curtail the jasmine growth, but the jasmine just kindly winds itself around the leaves and doesn't particularly feel bothered by them.  The ferns have continued to show resilience and repeated growth, and yet when I rearrange them, I see a spot of dryness that they cleverly hid.  The roses too required pruning, and defend their growth by poking me with their thorns.  I try to be careful as I work because I actually have the privilege of hosting a morning Dove mother and her nest.  She took up residence in the center of my hanging plants, just after I ...

  Usually, we read tales of ancient war heroes and men who paved the way for civilization.  The Bible is full of historic accounts of those who certainly played that part.  But within those stories are also accounts of women, often nameless, who demonstrated unbelievable compassion, faith, hope and endurance.  Because of them, children were conceived, born or revived, and husbands were spared from death or other near death disasters.  I have often wondered why some of these women are only known by their role in ancient culture, i.e. the widow; or they are identified only from where they lived, i.e the Shunammite.  Perhaps it is the genre of ancient literature.  But their courage and faith encourages me. Overcoming the odds is always inspiring.  I think that is why I enjoy come back sports stories so well. When the competitor is the underdog, the old legend, the one past his/her prime, victory is ever so much sweeter.  I guess I like to think ...