April... Fools Gold

Now; I'm a Gardener... so nothing excites me more than a fresh green shoot emerging from a branch that for all intents and purposes looks dead. Life. From tiny shoots pushing through the soil to lush green foliage reaching towards the sun, each stage of growth serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things. Just as plants rely on sunlight, water, and nutrients to thrive, so too do we depend on the support of others to flourish and bloom. No man is an island. And maybe I need to get a life! But those new green shoots will always make me feel alive, year after year.

As I watch it all happening before my very eyes, I remember the conversations I had with my colleagues every Winter when I was a full time Gardener. Through freezing hands and layers of clothing, we would say "I can't imagine it being Summer again and kneeling here in t-shirts and shorts, complaining that we're too hot and looking for a shady border to work in!" Every year without fail - and every year we found ourselves basking in the 'too hot-ness' of working outdoors and feeling grateful that we were able to do what we loved every day, come rain or shine.

So, as you venture into the Garden this April, may you cultivate not only the fruits of the earth but also the seeds of transformation within your own soul. For in the dance of planting and harvesting, we discover the timeless wisdom that growth always begins from the ground up, nourished by the light of love and the gentle rain. And we have so much to be grateful for...