31 Days: Day 3 - Be

My Creative Focus for today: Be

Today I am . . . tired. I'm fighting a cold that the girls have managed to pass from one to another, now to me. It's hotter than "H-E-Double Toothpicks" here today, and in the midst of my crankiness, I am trying to . . . Be.

PG is on day 14 of his 25 day trip - and I am so ready for him to be home. I am also ready for school to start (anyone else out there with me?) I am tired of hearing my own voice say the same things over and over again, "Leave your sister alone", "No, you can not have another cup of juice", "I do not want to put Tom & Jerry on again", "No, a popsicle is not a good breakfast". I am a broken record.

Today I mowed the lawn and worked in the garden. There was so much sweat dropping out of me that I made the Hoover Dam look like the desert, I swear. This same garden that I was so happy with on Monday (and provided the most beautiful tomatoes and basil you have ever seen) was full of weeds and beetles today. My hands and arms itched from all of the plants rubbing on them - and, again, can I tell you how HOT it is outside!!! H-O-T!

I was cranky. I was trying to accomplish those things outside while keeping one eye on the girls (not an easy thing to do with Little Miss Ella), and all I wanted to do was just . . . STOP. So, in the middle of all of that, I took a deep breath. I closed my eyes, and let the sun fall on my face. I said some words to myself about counting my blessings and I remembered my focus for the next 31 Days. Write. Create. Be. I stayed that way for a few moments (probably a lot shorter than it seemed.) When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself right in front of the most beautiful sight. I allowed myself to take it all in for a few minutes, then ran inside to grab the camera (my new best friend), and came back to take some photos to share with you.

Have you ever seen how a sunflower grows? From one stage to the next, how they join this world? How they start out like a starburst, and end up like the sun? Right there in my garden were about 4 or 5 flowers all at various stages - just Be-ing. It was so cool to see . . .

And as my eyes jumped from one flower to the next,

a happiness came over me.

Yes, I was happy . . . to just . . . be.

I love this last photo, where you can see three different stages all in one shot. Cool.

"Ah, sunflower, weary of time,

Who countest the steps of the sun,

Seeking after that sweet golden clime

Where the traveller's journey is done;

Where the youth pined away with desire

And the pale virgin shrouded in snow

Arise from their graves, and aspire

Where my sunflower wishes to go."

 - William Blake