That Lady

Another of our favourite people is the central character in Charlotte Zolotow's book, "I Know a Lady."  In the story a little girl feels loved by the lady in her neighbourhood who quietly and gently gardens, picks zinnias and makes cookies for special occasions.  In the rhythm of days the Lady savours and shares the ordinary delights around her.  She is an inspiration to me.

These days I am delighting in the longer sunny days.  I am spending time in the garden, and each evening my husband and I go for a walk around our neighbourhood, listening to the birds, smelling the fresh mown fields,  and enjoying the vibrance of this season.   Our garden is already full and our dinners include lots of fresh broccoli, snap peas and abundant swiss chard.

Life is full for the children as the activities of their year ripen to the final harvest of speech contests, class parties, piano recitals and dance shows.  This week is our local track and field for a couple of my athletes too.  Like the lady in her garden, I am wanting to preserve gentle routine and peace and calm in the midst of these full harvest days.  Chaos and tiredness at the end of a full year are all part of the package too as the days seem to race by!

In the long days and full endings of the school year,  I hope that I will still watch out for those gentle ladies in our midst, not forgetting to notice the  beauty all around and allowing time to receive and give love through the ordinary.