“The kiss of sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God’s Heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth” -Dorothy Frances Guerney-

This morning, I was pulling the weeds in the garden. Because of neglect, the weeds have grown up over my head. It has been so hot here, over 100 degrees and so last night before I went to bed, I gave the garden a good soaking. This made pulling weeds a lot easier.

I had left Kodie in the kennel. Last time I weeded, she thought it great fun when I tossed the weeds over the fence into a pile, to bring then back to me! “Did someone say ‘Fetch’ Mom?”

The weeds stretched out to the end of the woods. With everything going on with Mike, I haven’t even had two seconds to go out and tend the garden. Buried amongst the weeds were the radishes, corn, lettuce, peas, onions and other vegetables so carefully planted weeks ago.

The air was still and the birds were chirping overhead. The heat of the day hadn’t hit yet- I heard some splashing down by the creek, curious, I looked up. There on the top of the culvert stood a doe with two young fawn. The fawns were splashing in what was left of the creek. As she stood watch over her young family, a second group appeared. This doe also had two young fawns. The mothers took vigil on the top of the culvert as their youngsters played below.

It was a moment that brought all the chaos in my life to a halt. As I was hidden deep in the weeds and the wind was still, the does had no knowledge of my existence. Soon the moms relaxed and they nibbled each other necks. The babies were feeding on the long grasses at the bottom of the creek.

I look at our land and I thank God that He has allowed us this small slice of heaven here on earth. When I am out of sorts, all I need to do is go out in my pasture and hug my horses, then look up into the tall, centuries old pine trees and my soul is quieted.

Michael may come home today. If he does, he is going to require full-time care. They have him attached to a machine that is pulling out all the poisons in his leg. I am unsure how I am going to juggle taking care of his needs during his 6 weeks of medical house arrest and all my other responsibilities. But, right now in the midst of such a peaceful scene, I had a feeling that the details would work out.