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(Written when my daughter Madeline , now almost nine, was a wee thing, JSG, 12-14-05) Spring erupts at every turn. Richness deep down comes forth. Since last week this time so many things are in flower it’s hard to enumerate them all. The red maple across the parking lot is now aflame. Bradford Pears are in full bud. The Japanese magnolia blossoms have peeled out. Tulip -poplar blossoms --way up there -- are cracking open. Daffodils on sunny banks, tulips, forsythias all announce that March is here. Last week I sat with Madeline to feed her lunch. I thought, hmm, wonder if…So I toasted a piece of bread, spread a light layer of peanut butter over the hot toast, melting the peanut butter into the toast, cut the whole thing into little squares, and voila, peanut butter toast for baby. Madeline slowly placed her little forefinger onto the peanut butter side of a little square, pressed, pressed until the square stuck to her finger, then she lifted it to her mouth and gave it a try. Interesting. She pressed another, then another. A hit! And I thought, “One of life’s great tastes!” All around everywhere life offers up its bounty: Peanut butter toast, baby smiles, lady bugs, Texas Fizz, a cardinal, puffy clouds, a laugh with friends, a toothless grin, new sneakers, shrimp, a tilled garden, a robin hunting a worm, an eagle’s nest, a solid handshake, fresh coffee, Bach, a hot shower, curry, wind in your face, a birthday card, a call from an old friend, a view from the top, a slam dunk, a sale, a plump grape, a hymn, bikes, tree bark, a lick from a dog, butterflies, the blues, warm sun on a cold morning, climbing trees, noodles, an apology made, a spider’s web, bean sprouts, a ripe tomato, a great game, the smell of mowed grass, leaf piles, a debt paid, fresh paint, new carpet, a purring cat, frost, a good fire, a swish, a spiral, a strike, a mother’s love, fishing, pine needles, help from dad, singing, a new friend, Frisbees, first steps, apple crisp, silence, a good nap, thunder, stars, a full moon……….. Every good and perfect gift is from above… Copyright © 1998 by Joel Gillespie. Reproduction for non-commercial use is permitted, provided |
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