I’ve never been much of a Pollyanna, able to find something to be glad about in every situation, no matter how bleak. Sometime a silver lining is so tarnished as to be all but invisible. Sometimes pain is preferable to ignoring it. When someone dies, there is no reason for celebration; nor, when one feels physical pain, should one ignore the cause. Still, I am aware that each day does hold a small gift. Even in my bleakest times, I was aware of moments of peace, kind words, a hug, being able to finally sleep. All things we take for granted, but they loomed large as bits of light in the darkness.
Now, with a garden, I no longer have to simply be aware of the gifts that come my way, nor do I have to search them out. Some gifts bloom in such glory that doing anything other than celebrate the moment seems churlish.
There have been times, of course, where the outside work seemed to overshadow those gifts and, admittedly, the work can be exhausting and even painful if I do too much. But still, it’s worth it just for the gifts of the garden.
And today’s gift, pictured below, is truly a thing of beauty. My lily tree forest is winding down for the season. There are still a few blooms, and apparently, they saved the best for the last.
A true gift! One, moreover, that makes all the work worthwhile.
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Pat Bertram is the author of Grief: The Inside Story – A Guide to Surviving the Loss of a Loved One
Bertram's Blog 
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