One of our older children drew a house.

As I ponder on this gift, I can’t help but see more than a picture.

I see time and intention. A house where love is larger than the physical building. A place where, in order to enter, you must get yourself touched and even “muddied” with “hearts” before crossing any threshold. Yes, even the fresh air that enters through the windows will be perfumed with love!

What a concept! And what a gift!

Children have a natural eye for things seen and unseen. One thing is for sure, love has power!

I close with this quote:

​“Let the power of your love change the world, but never let the problems of this world change the beauty of your love.”
~Debasish Mridha

Taking a moment to enjoy my imagination today. Yes, for just a few moments I will glory in ideas and dreams. Something that few of us do after childhood. It feels unreal at first - this thought freedom without restriction. And then I am comforted by the remembrance that all children share this freedom, some much more than others. I wonder what thought freedoms you have had. Even today, imagination is ever at our disposal no matter where we are.

This quote is a gentle reminder that the sky is the limit!

"Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination."
~Robert Fulghum

What imaginations do you have?

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

~Henry David Thoreau

Today, I decided to revisit my childhood for a few minutes. So, in a friends yard, as I was passing by, I sat on the ground and took a long look at the grass. It was green and full of that springy fresh feel. There were so many 3 leaf clovers among the grasses. I decided to look a little more intently for a four leafed friend, when to my surprise, I stumbled upon a 5 leafer.

I had to pick it!

After weighing the thoughts of picking it, vs enjoying it and leaving it to its life cycle, I touched it. Intending to take it to the children and share. Indeed, I thought, "Whoever heard of a five leaf clover?"

As I took the final lunge with my fingers delicately grasping the stem, in an instant, almost as if there were some imaginary spring waiting to be triggered, the clover flipped apart and my eyes beheld a 2 leaf and a 3 leaf that had been intwined.😏

I giggled to myself as I walked away from the haze of beautiful green knowing full well the lesson that I had the personal privilege to experience once again.

Sometimes what we treasure, at a closer look, loses it's spectacular-ness the more that we inspect it. Funny how that happens.

Today, I strive to appreciate the beauty for what I see, as well as, what it really is. So far as the clover is concerned,

There were 5 leaves.

They were just connected to 2 stems. 😊.

They are just as beautifully green and refreshing to the senses.

Wishing you opportunities to enjoy, ponder, and accept your perspectives!

Great capture of the mixing of seasons that we are having right now. All in the same day. Warmth in February makes for wonderful blooms of our favorite spring flowers.

"Children the world over have a right to a childhood filled with beauty, joy, adventure, and companionship. They will grow toward ecological literacy if the soil they are nurtured in is rich with experience, love, and good examples."

~Alan Dyer, A Sense of Adventure"

And then had a great painting experience.

We took a Portland break to get some biscotti and warm milk from the coffee shop up the street.

Fun way to spend a small piece of Christmas Eve. Things can get so hectic on this day.

I hope you take time to care for yourself as well.

As we grow in our journey may we look with gratitude on our time together. Lessons learned. Opportunities sought. And always improving in our lives. May joy and blessings surround our endeavors; and may the mountains that we climb be met with bravery and courage. My love and thanks to you!

💛💛💛