Last year, the scouts were gathering at my house to leave for a week-long camping trip. As we were standing around waiting, the leader, a man I greatly respect and genuinely like, and who is incredibly accomplished and knowledgable in many subjects, asked about a plant growing in my garden.

There is nothing like suddenly seeing something familiar through an outsider’s eyes. Oh my poor garden. Rather than just say, “It’s called Lamb’s Ear,” and move on,  I instantly became very self-conscious about the state of my yard. It was out of control with weeds, plants needed dividing, edgings were untidy and it had, in my eyes, a decidedly unkempt look, rather than the careless elegance of an English cottage garden I liked to imagine. Ha. I was mortified.

As is my way sometimes (what am I saying? It’s my way every time!!), I immediately began making excuses about how springtime is always the busiest time for the kids in school and then usually I’m involved with church camps and youth conferences in late spring/early summer, so my garden is always more neglected than I would like. I was getting more and more embarrassed by the minute.

He looked at me kindly and said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world, “So, what you’re saying is that you were tending other gardens.” 

His simple comment stopped my stumbling apology for my ragged garden in mid-sentence. He had seen my life for what it really was and summed it up in one soul-warming observation.

In the time since, almost a year now, that moment and his words have become treasures to my soul. I write about it now because I constantly thought of it yesterday as I considered how to conduct my day. I’ve been really busy lately, keeping my schedule as open as possible to help the missionaries, working on several deadlines for work, and trying to get ready for Sam to come home in a couple of weeks. A beloved friend was in town this week and we spent time together. The house was untidy and a bit neglected, my schedule was packed, and I was feeling a bit anxious and stressed.

In spite of that, all day long I decided to choose people and relationships over things and appearances. It was hard. Here is what was on my list that did NOT get done yesterday

• Vacuum. 
• Get the chipped polish off my toenails
• Repaint toenails
• Cook a meal for the missionaries
• Make the bed
• Unload the dishwasher
• Work on the new flower bed I’m designing in the front yard
• Clean the bathroom 
• Clean my office
• Pay bills
• Go buy a lovely card and gift for a newly married couple
• and probably about 6 other things that could be classified as important

My darling friend. She soothes my soul.

The most beautifully prepared dinner I’ve had in a very long time

We managed to get locked inside Piney Run park for two hours on Friday night during a thunderstorm. It’s the reason I was so behind on Saturday morning, but Oh the hilarity that two 45-ish year-old teenagers can have with that situation! I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

Me and my precious pal.

My dear friend and our surprisingly pretty lunch. Not bad for 15 minutes of preparation.