This folktale by Celia Barker Lottridge entitled “The Name of the Tree” is a lively story about perseverance.  We’ve been discussing this attribute lately with Evan and I was happy to have found such a wonderful book about it.  The illustrations are very soft and intriguing.

Snuggle up and read it.  You won’t regret it. :)

“I’m going to buy you a new dress, mom.”  ”What color will it be,” I said.  ”Pink!  And I’m going to take you to a castle!”  ”Oh, that sounds nice.  What will we do at the castle?”  ”We’re going to have tea!”  ”I love tea,” I replied.  ”What else will we do there, Evan?”  ”We’re going to dance!”

Last night, as I was readying the house for a ladies get-together, I turned on some soft music.  My 4-year-old boy comes to me.  ”Mom, let’s dance.”  He takes my hand and guides me to the living room floor.  He places my hand on his little hip and he puts his hand on my waist and we hold hands.  We dance.  He smiles so big his eyes are but little slits in his adorable face.  I must be the luckiest mother in the world.  At least, I sure feel like I am.

The tenderness and sweetness I see in my little “Prince Charming” makes it hard to swallow due to the lump in my throat.  Ironically, I was wearing a pink shirt, too.  The music stops.  He bows.  I curtsey.  We hug.

I will never, ever forget that moment with my blonde haired, blue eyed “Prince.”

These Golden Rods caught my eye yesterday while driving and I had to stop and snap a picture.  It provided good reflection.  It’s easy to “drive by” sometimes and not notice the beauty around us in full bloom.  In keeping ourselves in practice of noticing the “flora” in whatever season of life we find ourselves in, we soon realize there is something always in bloom.  Even in the winter, something is growing underneath all of that icy cold.  To everything there is a season…

Blooming Golden Rods